Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Contaminants: Perinatal Health Impact (MIREC-PHI).

The consequences of prenatal exposures to environmental contaminants (ECs) has become a key public policy issue, particularly given studies showing deleterious effects at levels considered low and experienced by general populations. MIREC-PHI (Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Contaminants-Perinatal Health Impact) study will take advantage of the ongoing MIREC national pregnancy cohort to address these issues. The goal of MIREC-PHI is to examine the relationships between prenatal exposures to a range of environmental chemicals and important adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes and low birth weight. Two key potential pathways that may explain the adverse health impact of ECs will be also evaluated: hormonal effects and oxidative stress. Knowledge generated in this program will allow policy makers to formulate sound strategies to reduce potentially harmful exposures to mothers and babies.