Traffic-related noise pollution and preterm birth: a cross-sectional study on the effects of urbanization

It is thought that physiological changes caused by noise pollution may trigger labor and lead to preterm delivery. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between traffic noise, the most important source of noise pollution in urban areas, and preterm birth. In addition, the effects of noise, air pollution, extreme temperature and humidity conditions related to climate change, and population density, which increase with unplanned urbanization, on preterm birth were also investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the only secondary-level public hospital of a city, covering 14,015 live births over a four-year period. The study compared the levels of exposure to urbanization related environmental factors such as noise pollution, air pollution, and population density between preterm and term births. In contrast, statistically significant increases in risk were observed for variables that increase with urbanization, such as the degree of urbanization, population per household, heat exposure, and sulfur dioxide. The findings indicate that variables associated with unplanned urbanization may trigger preterm birth. However, traffic-related noise pollution alone was not identified as a determinant.