Peer-reviewed article

The effect of <i>in utero</i> exposure to air pollution and subsequent cognitive and behavioral development in children aged 1-3 years old.

Ramjan S, DeIngeniis D, Brabander CJ, Hinton VJ, Sie SY et al. · 7 Sept 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of in utero exposure to pollution (PM2.5 and NO2), on trajectories of cognitive-behavioral development between ages 1.5 and 3 years. The prenatal period represents a critical window for child development, during which the brain is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution. Yet few studies have examined the associations between prenatal air pollution exposure and developmental functioning in early childhood. Data was analyzed from the Stress in Pregnancy (SIP) study, a longitudinal cohort study (n = 210). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 18, 24, and 36 months, using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition, and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition at Queens College, CUNY in Queens, New York. Air pollution exposure was obtained from public databases. The most notable findings were sex-specific effects of prenatal air pollution exposure on several developmental markers. PM2.5 exposure had a significant negative effect on communication, social skills, and gross motor functioning in male children, whereas NO2 had a negative effect on females in the domains of communication, gross motor functioning, and social-emotional skills. By identifying sex-specific developmental sub-domains that are affected by air pollutants, this study provides a foundation for further investigating the sex-specific effects of pollutants. These findings can also inform early detection protocols for cognitive and behavioral difficulties and support the development of interventions to optimize neurodevelopment in children.