The impact of prenatal exposure to air pollution on childhood wheezing and asthma: A systematic review
Abstract
Background and objectives There has been no clear consensus about whether prenatal exposure to air pollution contributes to the development of wheezing and asthma in children. We conducted a systematic review to analyze the association between exposure to different pollutants during pregnancy and the development of childhood wheezing and asthma. Methods We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies published through June 6, 2017 available in the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. We included studies that examined the association between prenatal exposure to any air pollutants except tobacco smoke and the incidence or prevalence of "wheezing" or "asthma" from birth to 14 years of age. We extracted key characteristics of each included study using a template of predefined data items. We used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists to assess the validity of each included study. We conducted overall and subgroup meta-analyses for each summary exposure-outcome association. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by using a random effects model. Results Eighteen studies met our eligibility criteria. There was notable variability in exposure assessment methods. The overall random effects risk estimates (95% CI) of different pollutants were 1.04 (0.94-1.15) aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 1.04 (1.01-1.07) NO 2 , 1.4 (0.97-2.03) PM 2.5 for childhood wheeze and 1.07 (1.01-1.14) NO 2 , 1 (0.97-1.03) PM 2.5 , 1.02 (0.98-1.07) SO 2 , 1.08 (…
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Hehua et al. reviewed 18 studies and found that children prenatally exposed to multiple air pollutants had increased risk of wheeze and asthma during childhood.
“Hehua et al. [6] reviewed 18 studies and found that children prenatally exposed to multiple air pollutants had increased risk of wheeze and asthma during childhood.”
From Air pollution and children’s health—a review of adverse effects associated with prenatal exposure from fine to ultrafine particulate matter (2021) · cites this paper as [6]
The link between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and the development of asthma has become increasingly recognized as epidemiologic studies have reported positive associations.
“The link between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and the development of asthma has also become increasingly recognized as epidemiologic studies have reported positive associations [6, 20].”
From Air pollution and children’s health—a review of adverse effects associated with prenatal exposure from fine to ultrafine particulate matter (2021) · cites this paper as [6]
Only a weak association was identified in the five existing studies that evaluated prenatal PM2.5 exposure and asthma.
“However, only a weak association was identified in the five existing studies that evaluated prenatal PM2.5 exposure.”
From Air pollution and children’s health—a review of adverse effects associated with prenatal exposure from fine to ultrafine particulate matter (2021) · cites this paper as [6]
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“have reported positive associations [6, 20].”
BackgroundSaenen, N. D., Martens, D. S., Neven, K. Y., Alfano, R., Bové, H., Janssen, B. G., Roels, H. A., Plusquin, M., Vrijens, K., & Nawrot, T. S. (2019) · Clinical Epigenetics · doi:10.1186/s13148-019-0688-z · Cited by 267 · see citing works
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In utero ultrafine particulate matter exposure causes offspring pulmonary immunosuppression
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Reducing Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Nonsmoking Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review
Nwosu, C., Angus, K., Cheeseman, H., & Semple, S. (2020) · Nicotine & Tobacco Research · doi:10.1093/ntr/ntaa089 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Liu, Y., Li, Y., Xu, H., Zhao, X., Zhu, Y., Zhao, B., Yao, Q., Duan, H., Guo, C., & Li, Y. (2023) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115373 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
- Authors
- Hehua, Z., Qing, C., Shanyan, G., Qijun, W., & Yuhong, Z.
- Affiliations
- China Medical University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Yuhong, Zhao
- Venue
- Environmental Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-11
- Volume
- 159
- Pages
- 519-530
- ISSN
- 0013-9351 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2750701499
- Cited by
- 201
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Keywords
- prenatal air pollution exposure, childhood wheezing, childhood asthma, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, black carbon, carbon monoxide, ozone
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Asthma, Child, Child, Preschool, Environmental Exposure, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Respiratory Sounds, Risk Factors, Incidence, Prevalence, Particulate Matter
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