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Exposure to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 and gross motor function in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Air pollution exposure has been related to negative gross motor development in children. However, there is currently a lack of conclusive evidence for such a relationship. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria to examine whether exposure to air pollution has an impact on children’s gross motor development. Of the 9746 papers found, 7 studies examined the impact of air pollutant characteristics, such as PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, on children’s gross motor development. The results of the study reveal a significant association between air pollutants and an increased likelihood of negative gross motor development. PM10 was discovered to be considerably riskier for children’s gross motor development (effect: − 1.83, 95% CI: − 3.04, − 0.62, p value = 0.002). Additionally, NO2 exhibited indications of a tendency to be connected to a detrimental impact on children's gross motor development (effect − 0.18, 95% CI: − 0.42, 0.07, p value = 0.097).

  Conclusion: Our study indicates that exposure to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2, especially PM2.5 and PM10, is negatively associated with children’s gross motor development. However, further research is required to determine how exposure to prenatal air pollution affects children’s gross motor development.

What is Known - What is New:

• In this study, we provide an overview of emerging data related to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 exposure in child development, especially on the gross motor function that continues to emerge, and key findings are highlighted.

• Additionally, we summarize the evidence on the underlying effect of air pollution on gross motor function from human studies..

• Overall, we emphasize that evidence from human studies is critical in suggesting detrimental child health outcomes of an action to promote preventive strategies that will effectively protect children's health..

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Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

IQ:

Intelligence quotient

NOS:

Newcastle–Ottawa Scale

BSID:

Bayley Scales of Infant Development

MSCA:

McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities

ASQ:

Ages and Stages Questionnaire 

MIDI:

Minnesota Infant Development Inventory 

SDD:

Suspected Developmental Delay

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the University of Phayao for financial support.

Funding

The authors received financial support from the University of Phayao.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Allied Health Science, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Nichapa Parasin

  2. School of Energy and Environment, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen

  3. Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Change Research Units, School of Energy and Environment, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen

  4. Division of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Surasak Saokaew

  5. Unit of Excellence On Clinical Outcomes Research and IntegratioN (UNICORN), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Surasak Saokaew

  6. Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, 56000

    Surasak Saokaew

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  1. Nichapa Parasin
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Contributions

Nichapa Parasin: conceptualization, methodology, data curation, formal analysis, and writing—original draft; Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen: methodology, conceptualization, and writing—review and editing; Surasak Saokaew: conceptualization and writing—review and editing.

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Correspondence to Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen.

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Communicated by Gregorio Milani.

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Parasin, N., Amnuaylojaroen, T. & Saokaew, S. Exposure to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 and gross motor function in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pediatr 182, 1495–1504 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-023-04834-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-023-04834-3

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