Work

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to different sizes of particulate matter and neurodevelopment in children across 16 provinces in China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to particulate matter (PM) may exert neurotoxic effects, but its impact on neurodevelopment during early life remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to PM with varying sizes and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study was based on a nationwide survey of 11,439 children residing in 16 provinces in China. The concentrations of PM with aerodynamic diameters of < 1 μm, 2.5 μm, and 10 μm (PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 ) at the children's residences were estimated using spatial-temporal models. Neurodevelopment was assessed using the China Developmental Scale for Children (0–6 years), which evaluates total developmental quotient (DQ) and DQ across five domains. Multi-variable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between PM exposure and DQ. Both prenatal and postnatal exposure to PM was associated with a reduction in total DQ and DQ in domains including gross motor, fine motor, adaptive behavior, and social behavior. Particles with smaller size showed stronger adverse effects. For instance, a 10 μg/m³ increase in the concentrations of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 throughout pregnancy was associated with reductions in total DQ of 0.44, 0.52, and 0.74, respectively. Corresponding reductions related to the postnatal exposure during the first two years after birth were 0.46, 0.58, and 0.97, respectively. The fine motor domain was most strongly affected by PM exposure, followed by gross motor. The associations were particularly pronounced among children aged ≥ 24 months, those breastfed for less than 6 months, and those residing in northern China. Our findings provide robust evidence of the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of early-life exposure to PM. This research identifies the most impacted developmental domains, highlights the most harmful particle size, and underscores vulnerable subgroups， which have significant implications for public health and pollution control. • Both pre and postnatal PM exposure was associated with delayed neurodevelopment. • The effect was observed for gross motor, fine motor, adaptive, and social behavior. • The impact was more pronounced for smaller particles. • Breastfeeding may help mitigate the adverse effect of PM on neurodevelopment.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119373