Volatile Organic Compounds and Preterm Birth in Detroit
Official title: Epidemiological Study of Volatile Organic Compounds and Preterm Birth in Detroit
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11394824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will follow about 1,100 pregnant women in Detroit to see if exposure to common air pollutants is linked to starting birth earlier than expected in this city.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $293,931 |
| NIH project number | 5P42ES030991-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals receiving care in Detroit, particularly those at risk for higher VOC exposure.
✕Less likely to help
The research may not directly benefit individuals without the ability to participate or provide consent, or those not exposed to VOCs.
What this research studies
This project will enroll pregnant people receiving care at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and track their exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during pregnancy. Researchers will use existing clinical resources to form a birth cohort and perform a nested case-control comparison to explore how VOCs relate to preterm birth and changes in maternal inflammation and placental gene expression. The study aims to map environmental, medical, and social factors that contribute to PTB and to understand how local pollution may influence outcomes. Participants may contribute by providing exposure information, biological samples, and consent for data linkage to health records. The findings could inform community health strategies to reduce PTB risk in Detroit and similar urban areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to targeted public health actions to lower PTB risk related to air pollution.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked VOC exposure to adverse birth outcomes, but this project adds a Detroit-focused cohort and mechanistic data.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cassidy-Bushrow, Andrea E — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Cassidy-Bushrow, Andrea E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.