In-utero exposure to indoor air pollution or tobacco smoke and cognitive development in a South African birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

There is increasing evidence indicating that air pollution exposure is associated with neuronal damage. Since pregnancy is a critical window of vulnerability, air pollution exposure during this period could have adverse effects on neurodevelopment. This study aims 1) to analyze associations of prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution (particulate matter with diameters ≤10 μm, PM₁₀) and tobacco smoke with neurodevelopment and 2) to determine whether these associations are mediated by deviations of epigenetic gestational age from chronological gestational age (ΔGA).

Methods

Data of 734 children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study were analyzed. Prenatal PM₁₀ exposure was measured using devices placed in the families'

SUBMITTER: Christensen GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9177804 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature