BACKGROUND AND AIM: Research supports the adverse effect of air pollution exposures on child cognitive performance and behavior, but few studies have utilized spatiotemporally resolved pollution predictions. METHODS: We investigated these associations in 1,894 mother-child dyads from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts (CANDLE, TIDES, GAPPS) in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium. Child cognition was assessed using cohort-specific intelligence scales and quantified as the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Child behavior was reported using the Child Behavior Checklist and quantified as the total problems raw score. Pre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) were derived from an advanced spatiotemporal model. We fit multivariate linear regressions, adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors, to measure associations per 2-unit increase in pollutant in each window, and examined modification by child sex using interaction models. RESULTS: Mean PM2.5 and NO2 ranged from 8.4-9.1 µg/m3 and 8.4-9.0 ppb, respectively, across pre-and postnatal windows. Average child IQ and total problems raw score at 4-6 years were 102.7 (SD:15.3) and 22.6 (SD:18.3). Children with a higher 3rd trimester NO2 exposure had a lower IQ (β=-0.44, 95%CI: -0.81, -0.07). Each 2-ppb increase of NO2 in the 2nd trimester and averaged over pregnancy was associated with a 0.68 (95%CI: 0.09, 1.27) and a 0.85 (95%CI: 0.09, 1.61) higher total problems raw score, respectively. Prenatal PM2.5 was only associated with a higher total problems score (β=1.94, 95%CI: 0.11, 3.76), while PM2.5 at 2-4 years was associated with both outcomes (IQ: β=-2.30, 95%CI: -4.53, 0.08; Total problems: β=3.00, 95%CI: 0.21, 5.78). Other associations were null. No modification by child sex was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: The findings build on the current literature on air pollution and child neurodevelopment by using more refined exposure assessments across several pre- and postnatal windows in settings with modest air pollution levels.
Published Aug 23, 2021
Ni, Y., Loftus, C. T., Szpiro, A. A., Young, M. T., Hazlehurst, M. F., Murphy, L. E., Tylavsky, F. A., Mason, A. W., Lewinn, K. Z., Sathyanarayana, S., Barrett, E. S., Bush, N. R., & Karr, C. J. (2021). Associations of Pre- and Postnatal Air Pollution Exposures with Child Cognitive Performance and Behavior: A Multi-cohort Study. ISEE Conference Abstracts, 2021(1). https://doi.org/10.1289/ISEE.2021.P-492