Study of Air Pollution and Cerebral Palsy

Air pollution is one of the most widespread environmental pollutants globally. The literature has consistently suggested maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy can affect major perinatal predictors of cerebral palsy (CP), including maternal preeclampsia and preterm birth. Emerging research also shows air pollution affects cognitive and motor function deficits in childhood, as well as increases the risk for white matter injury, which are highly relevant to CP etiology. The Liew lab is conducting the first population-based study of CP and air pollution in the U.S. with supports from the NIH/NIEHS (R21ES035485). The study will evaluate records over 10,000 CP cases diagnosed in the state of California. A newly developed land-use-regression model with a high temporal and spatial resolution for major ambient air pollutants (e.g., PM2.5, NO2, and O3) will be utilized in the study.