Before the First Breath: Why Ambient Air Pollution and Climate Change Should Matter to Neonatal-Perinatal Providers

Authors

Melanie Leong, Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA. mleong2@nymc.edu.
Catherine J. Karr, Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Shetal I. Shah, Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Heather L. Brumberg, Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Journal of Perinatology

First Page

1059

Last Page

1066

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2023

Department

Pediatrics

Abstract

Common outdoor air pollutants present threats to fetal and neonatal health, placing neonatal-perinatal clinical specialists in an important role for harm reduction through patient counseling and advocacy. Climate change is intertwined with air pollution and influences air quality. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the unique vulnerability in the development of adverse health consequences from exposures during the preconception, prenatal, and early postnatal periods, as well as promising indications that policies aimed at addressing these toxicants have improved birth outcomes. Advocacy by neonatal-perinatal providers articulating the potential impact of pollutants on newborns and mothers is essential to promoting improvements in air quality and reducing exposures. The goal of this review is to update neonatal-perinatal clinical specialists on the key ambient air pollutants of concern, their sources and health effects, and to outline strategies for protecting patients and communities from documented adverse health consequences.

Recommended Citation

Leong, M., Karr, C. J., Shah, S. I., & Brumberg, H. L. (2023). Before the First Breath: Why Ambient Air Pollution and Climate Change Should Matter to Neonatal-Perinatal Providers. Journal of Perinatology, 43 (8), 1059-1066. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01479-2