LIFECODES pregnancy cohort

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

LIFECODES is an ongoing prospective birth cohort conducted at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA by Dr. Thomas McElrath. Begun in 2006, this study aims to investigate environmental contaminants associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, isolate mechanisms underlying their associations, and identify predictors that can be used for prevention. Within this cohort there are several research projects which exist to address more specific research questions. At NIEHS we have utilized this existing data and added to it in three ways. First, we collaborate with investigators on a case-control sub-study of preterm birth. Within that sub-study, as a pilot study in the Childrens Health Exposure Assessment Resource (CHEAR) program, we analyzed urinary trace metals as well as metabolomics in urine specimens from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The objectives of this project were to examine each individual trace metals as well as metal mixtures in relation to: 1) overall preterm birth (delivery <37 weeks gestation) as well as preterm birth subtypes (spontaneous and placentally mediated); 2) fetal growth as assessed by ultrasound measures in pregnancy; and 3) urinary oxidative stress biomarkers that were also measured at that time point. Additionally, we sought to examine metabolomics profiles as potential mediators of these associations. The second project based under the LIFECODES pregnancy cohort is a pooled study. Based on our initial findings, we pooled data from LIFECODES and 15 other US pregnancy or pre-pregnancy cohorts to more robustly investigate the relationship between phthalate exposure in pregnancy and preterm birth. The last project under the LIFECODES pregnancy cohort is an investigation of the associations between consumer product chemical exposure in pregnancy and their cumulative impact on disorders of fetal growth. Following a pilot study, we selected a random subcohort of 500 participants from among the overall LIFECODES cohort, and we enriched the cohort with additional selection of 200 cases of small-for-gestational age (SGA) births and 200 large-for-gestational age (LGA) births. Under this project, the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study, our specific aims are to: 1) Examine associations between consumer product chemicals, including phthalates, phenols, and organophosphate flame retardants and pesticides, in relation to disorders of growth in pregnancy; 2) Improve the understanding of the etiologies of SGA and LGA, specifically targeting inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways; and 3) Within pregnancies resulting in an SGA newborn, explore phenotypes of growth restrictions using serial ultrasound measures of fetal growth. This year we made progress on publishing the results from the main aims of the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study. We published our first paper examining chemical exposures in association with early pregnancy oxylipin markers of inflammation (PMID: 39913660). We also investigated associations between organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers and the development of preeclampsia and elevated blood pressure in pregnancy (PMID: 39233027). In addition, we continue to publish collaborative papers with other LIFECODES investigators. We examined associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and birth outcomes (PMID: 40154872) as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl exposure and inflammation in pregnancy (PMID: 39550829). We also collaborate on advancing statistical methods using this data (PMIDs: 40720341, 40145898). Lastly, in a consortium organized by our team that includes data from the LIFECODES study, we published important findings on periods of susceptibility in the relationship between phthalate exposure in pregnancy and preterm birth (PMID: 40132438).