PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA ONSET

Abstract

This study investigates the association between prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants and the development of childhood asthma, a major global health concern. Using a retrospective cohort design, data were collected on prenatal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and maternal smoking. These data were linked with clinical outcomes including asthma diagnosis, frequency of wheezing episodes, and hospital visits among children aged 5–10 years. Our results reveal a significant association between elevated prenatal exposure to air pollutants and increased risk of childhood asthma. Specifically, children in the highest quartile of PM2.5 exposure exhibited the greatest incidence of asthma. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a 2.1-fold increase in asthma risk. Furthermore, asthmatic children demonstrated higher mean concentrations of all pollutants, more wheezing episodes, and increased hospital admissions compared to their non-asthmatic peers. Inflammatory biomarkers including IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, and IgE were also significantly elevated in asthmatic children, suggesting pollution-induced immune activation. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the independent predictive value of PM2.5, VOCs, and maternal smoking, with statistically significant odds ratios. Correlation heatmaps further highlighted strong inter-relationships between pollutant exposure and respiratory morbidity. These findings support the hypothesis that prenatal environmental insults disrupt fetal immune and respiratory development, increasing susceptibility to asthma. The study highlights the importance of minimizing prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants through targeted public health strategies and regulatory action. It also emphasizes the integration of environmental exposure screening in prenatal care as a preventive measure to reduce childhood asthma burden.