Charleston Gazette reports women living near high-density natural gas drilling operations may be at an increased risk of having babies with lower birth rates, according to a recent study.

The study, prepared by University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health researchers, focused on horizontal drilling and fracking locations in Washington, Westmoreland and Butler counties. The researchers referenced 15,000 births between 2007 and 2010 in these counties. The data was divided into four groups based on the mothers’ proximity to the wells.

Based on the study’s results, babies born to mothers living the closest to wells were 34 percent more likely to be “small for gestational age.” The researchers did not find evidence of premature births and proximity to wells.

Via: Charleston Gazette > Study finds lower birth weights near Pa. gas sites

More about health and the Marcellus Shale:

• Gov. Wolf proposes Marcellus Shale health registry March 7, 2015
• The impact of Marcellus Shale development on health and health care Jan. 6, 2015
• Fracking sand could cause health problems Oct. 9, 2014
• Study: Potentially more health problems near fracking Sept. 20, 2014
• Pa. doctors to inform health department of drilling-related health problems in patients Aug. 5, 2014