More and more children are heading to the emergency with exacerbation in asthma and complicated respiratory conditions, as devastating effects of air pollution hit one of the most vulnerable groups the hardest. Many healthy babies are developing pneumonia and other respiratory conditions within weeks of their birth, which explains the silent and irreparable impact of pollution, wreaking havoc with both mother’s and baby’s immunity.
From low birth weight to persistent cough, infant health has suffered for the worst in the past decade, underscoring the need for serious measures to address the pollution problem.
Considering kids have underdeveloped lungs, pollution is silently affecting their lung health, especially in the last three months of the year, when air quality dips among falling temperatures, crop burning, and post-Diwali pollution at its peak.
Experts have warned about the hidden impact of pollution on unborn children. Doctors say kids are more likely to be born with a compromised respiratory system, and foetus exposed to pollution could be born with a low birth weight.
Dr Kana Ram Jat, professor, Pulmonology, Intensive Care, Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, told the Indian Express that newborns are being kept in the neonatal units to keep watch of these problems.
“A foetus exposed to pollutants is usually born with a low birth weight. Such babies are prone to allergies and asthma as they grow up,” says Dr Kana Ram.
Dr Rahul Sharma, additional director of Pulmonology at Fortis Noida, talked about the growing threat of pollution and its impact on kids and pre-teens, to Indian Express. He said “over the last few years, asthma and allergies have become common among children and pre-teens.
How pollution affects kids and unborn children
JAMA Network’s Environmental Health journal findings suggest that exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 or NO2 air pollution during early childhood could play a role in the development of childhood asthma. As per a study published in Reproductive Health journal, The first and second trimesters exposure to NO2 was associated with higher and lower odds of childhood-onset asthma, respectively. SO2 whole pregnancy exposure was associated with higher odds of childhood-onset asthma.
Dr Kana Ram says this happens because “when pollutants enter the maternal bloodstream, the foetus is indirectly exposed too.” which can “cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced oxygen delivery,” interfering with healthy growth and organ development of the child even before birth.
Pollutants can cross the placenta, a temporary organ that connects the baby to the mother through an umbilical cord, and interfere with the baby’s development process.
Here’s how the pollutants impact the unborn child
Many studies have established link between mother’s exposure to air pollution and the worst pregnancy outcome – raised risk of stillbirth or miscarriage. As the fine particulate matter surpasses placenta, it begins to meddle with organ development including lungs, which can lead to under-developed lungs, immature airways and lower immune function, as per experts.
“Lung development starts early in pregnancy but continues till the very end. Chronic exposure to pollutants can lead to smaller lung volumes, immature airways and compromised immune function. In essence, these babies may be born with lungs that aren’t ready for the outside world, leading to respiratory distress right after birth,” Dr Manish Mannan, Head of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Paras Hospital, Gurugram told Indian Express.
Studies show a link between maternal exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of stillbirth, particularly during the third trimester. Microplastics floating in the air and emanating from sources like synthetic clothing, car tyres and breakdown of plastic waste are endocrine disruptors. They play around with hormones. They have been found in the human placenta, umbilical cord and umbilical cord blood, indicating they can pass from mother to foetus, where they hamper organ development and the central nervous system.
Infant and child lung function impairment, an increase in respiratory symptoms, and the advent of childhood asthma have all been linked to prenatal exposure to air pollution, says PMC.
Dr Mannan says more babies now require respiratory assistance at birth and that “healthy babies are developing respiratory distress and pneumonia within weeks”. The expert says the reason behind this could be pollution weakening “both the mother’s and the baby’s immunity, especially among those in cities and industrial zones.”
“Low birth weight, preterm delivery and persistent cough in infants were exceptions a decade ago. Now, they’re routine,” he adds.
It is important for pregnant women and children to limit exposure to air pollution and stay indoors while ensuring balanced diet rich in antioxidants like vitamin c and e, to counter oxidative stress. “Regular follow-ups help track lung and developmental milestones in infants,” says Dr Mannan.
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