Children who were exposed to high levels of air pollution while in the womb could be at a greater risk of developing asthma in early childhood, according to a new piece of research.
The study, presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society’s (ATS) International Conference, involved 430 children and their mothers. Researchers used information on where the mothers lived while pregnant to assess the daily levels of air pollution that they came into contact with throughout the course of their pregnancy.
They discovered a link between exposure to higher levels of pollution during the second trimester of pregnancy (the 13th–28th week) and the development of asthma later on in childhood.
It is fairly well-known that a pregnant woman’s exposure to air pollution can impact on the lung development and health of their babies, yet this study has shed new light on the timing of this as an important factor.
Learn about the factors that can cause lung disease and the ways to reduce your contact with them.
Sign up to our free monthly newsletter to get the latest information and research news on lung conditions, plus views from experts and patients! You can unsubscribe at any time.