Air pollution during pregnancy linked to delays in gross motor development in children

Air pollution during pregnancy linked to delays in gross motor development in children

A recent study in developmental medicine and child neurology has linked exposure to tiny particles of air pollution. called fine dust; lead to delays in the child's gross motor, fine motor and personal-social development during pregnancy.

The Taiwanese study included 17,683 full-term infants without congenital anomalies who were examined through home interviews at 6 months and 18 months of age.

Each 10 μg/m3 increase in particulate matter exposure during the second trimester was associated with a 9% greater risk of delay in gross motor neurodevelopmental milestones after adjustments. Similar risk levels were seen for delayed fine motor development and personal-social skills. The authors assume that exposure to particulate matter before birth has greater effects than exposure after birth.

Protecting children from air pollutants must begin while their mothers are pregnant,” said

Yue Leon Guo, MD, MPH, PhD, corresponding author, National Taiwan University Medical School and Hospital

Source:

Wiley

Reference:

Shih, P., et al. (2022) Air pollution during the perinatal period and neurodevelopment in children: a national population study in Taiwan. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15430.

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