Intrauterine and early postnatal exposure to air pollution associated with childhood allergic rhinitis

The Associations of Prenatal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Its Chemical Components with Allergic Rhinitis in Children and the Modification Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Birth Cohort Study

“… exposure during pregnancy has garnered great interest as a part of AR etiology in prior studies. 7 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 36 – 38 Our study supported the detrimental association between prenatal exposure to and AR while controlling the potential effect of postnatal exposure. Despite some discrepant results observed in European birth cohorts (median ), 11 , 35 this finding aligned with results reported in other highly polluted cities across mainland China and Taiwan (mean ).…”

“…Despite some discrepant results observed in European birth cohorts (median ), 11 , 35 this finding aligned with results reported in other highly polluted cities across mainland China and Taiwan (mean ). 7 , 8 , 10 , 36 , 37 The AR risk may involve chemical components reflecting the sources and toxicity. 19 These components have been suggested as better indicators of particulate substances harmful to health than undifferentiated particle mass.…”

“… 3 , 4 With significant pro-inflammatory capacity, 5 atmospheric fine particulate matter in aerodynamic diameter ( ) has been associated with increased prevalence of AR. 6 – 10 The vulnerability to may begin early in life when the airway structure and immune system are immature. 11 Several birth cohorts in Germany 12 and the US 13 have suggested a positive association between prenatal exposure and the risk of allergies and AR in childhood.…”

Air pollution and rhinitis

“…Specifically, exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during pregnancy and infancy was positively correlated with allergic rhinitis development (40,41). Furthermore, early-life exposure to air pollution during the prenatal and infancy periods may contribute to the long-term development of allergic rhinitis, with chronic exposure also posing a risk of increased exacerbations and emergency hospital visits (41). Exposure to moisture-related allergens, such as mold/damp stains and moldy/damp clothing or bedding, in the year preceding conception and during pregnancy, was notably linked to increased rhinitis prevalence.…”

“…Intrauterine and early postnatal exposure to outdoor air pollution emerged as significant factors associated with physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis in children. Specifically, exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during pregnancy and infancy was positively correlated with allergic rhinitis development ( 40 , 41 ). Furthermore, early-life exposure to air pollution during the prenatal and infancy periods may contribute to the long-term development of allergic rhinitis, with chronic exposure also posing a risk of increased exacerbations and emergency hospital visits ( 41 ).…”