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AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

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Prenatal air pollution linked to lower language and motor scores

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in
Research area:Environmental healthAir pollutionAir Quality and Health Impacts

What the study found

Higher air pollution exposure during pregnancy was associated with altered early neurodevelopmental outcomes in toddlerhood. The pattern differed by timing of exposure and by whether the child was born preterm.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is a potentially modifiable risk factor. They suggest that reducing exposure may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes, and they note that preterm infants may be especially vulnerable.

What the researchers tested

The researchers studied 498 toddlers from the developing human connectome project, including 125 born preterm. They estimated prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10, tiny airborne particles) and nitrogen dioxide across gestation using maternal residential postcode, then compared these exposures with cognitive, language, and motor scores from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition.

What worked and what didn't

Higher first-trimester exposure to all pollutants was associated with lower language scores after adjustment for several maternal, birth, home language, and socioeconomic factors. Higher exposure across gestation was associated with lower motor scores in preterm infants after adjustment for sex, birth weight, ethnic group, maternal pregnancy complications, socioeconomic deprivation, and duration of respiratory support. The abstract does not report a clear association with cognitive scores.

What to keep in mind

The exposure estimates were based on maternal residential postcode, and the abstract does not describe other measures of personal exposure. The summary does not provide details on effect sizes, and it does not describe limitations beyond the factors already adjusted for.

Key points

  • The study included 498 toddlers, including 125 who were born preterm.
  • Higher first-trimester exposure to air pollutants was linked with lower language scores.
  • Higher exposure across gestation was linked with lower motor scores in preterm infants.
  • The abstract does not report a clear association with cognitive scores.
  • The authors describe prenatal air pollution as a potentially modifiable risk factor.

Disclosure

Research title:
Prenatal air pollution linked to lower language and motor scores
Authors:
Alexandra F. Bonthrone, Brendan Bos, Ben Barratt, Hoi Ching Olina Pang, Sean Beevers, Andrew Chew, Shona Falconer, Joseph V. Hajnal, Frank J Kelly, Chiara Nosarti, A David Edwards, Serena J. Counsell
Institutions:
Imperial College London, Imperial College London, Imperial College London, Imperial College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London, King's College London
Publication date:
2026-04-28
DOI:
10.1113/jp290327
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: AI provenance information is not available for this post.