A NEW study has found that maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of childhood asthma, underscoring the need for stricter environmental protections.
Researchers analysed 1,715 mother-child pairs from the Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital between 2015 and 2018, comparing children diagnosed with asthma before age four to those without. The study assessed prenatal exposure to air pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), and carbon monoxide (CO), using data from national and provincial air pollution monitoring stations.
The findings revealed a significant association between maternal exposure to pollutants and the development of childhood asthma. PM2.5 exposure during the second trimester and throughout pregnancy was linked to a higher asthma risk. PM10 exposure in the third trimester and across the entire pregnancy also increased the likelihood of asthma. First-trimester exposure to NO₂ heightened the risk, whereas second-trimester exposure appeared to have a protective effect. SO₂ exposure throughout pregnancy was also associated with a greater risk of asthma in children.
The results suggest that reducing maternal exposure to air pollution could play a crucial role in preventing childhood asthma. The researchers emphasise the urgent need for stronger air quality regulations and greater public health efforts to minimise pollution exposure during pregnancy.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Bao L et al. Association analysis of maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and offspring asthma incidence. Reprod Health. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s12978-025-01967-6.
