Exposure to a widely used herbicide during the middle months of pregnancy may increase the chance of giving birth too early, before 37 weeks, according to a study published on July 31.
The research, led by NYU Langone Health, focused on glyphosate, the active ingredient in professional-grade Roundup products. Glyphosate is commonly sprayed on commercial food crops and residential gardens. The study included 1,450 women and found that those with higher levels of glyphosate in urine samples collected during midpregnancy were more likely to experience spontaneous preterm labor compared to those with lower levels. No similar pattern was observed when glyphosate was measured earlier in pregnancy or for medically induced early births.
"Our findings add to a growing body of evidence that exposure to glyphosate early in life may lead to health concerns that can echo throughout a lifetime," said Teresa Herrera, MPH, doctoral candidate at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and lead author of the study.
Preterm birth is a leading cause of illness and death among newborns. Premature babies face increased risks such as breathing problems, infections, and long-term developmental challenges. Laboratory studies have suggested that glyphosate might trigger inflammatory mechanisms leading to early labor; however, previous human studies have been small or inconsistent. The new work is among the largest studies examining this link and one of few measuring exposure at multiple points during pregnancy.
The analysis used data from the Children's Health and Environment Study involving women who planned deliveries at NYU Langone-affiliated hospitals between 2016 and 2019. Researchers reviewed medical records for gestational age at delivery while considering factors like maternal age and education level. By distinguishing between spontaneous and medically induced preterm births, they found that glyphosate's effects seemed tied more closely to natural triggers for labor than medical interventions.
"These results underscore the need for stronger regulations to protect the health of pregnant women and infants, two groups long known to be especially vulnerable to chemicals in the environment," said Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, senior author on the study. Trasande cautioned that while individual choices such as buying organic foods may help reduce exposure somewhat, widespread environmental presence means it cannot be eliminated entirely by personal action.
