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BackgroundPopulation studies support the adverse associations of air pollution exposures with child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance, but few studies have used spatiotemporally resolved pollutant assessments.ObjectivesWe investigated these associations using more refined exposure assessments in 1,967 mother-child dyads from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts in six cities in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium.MethodsPre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) exposures were derived from an advanced spatiotemporal model. Child behavior was reported as Total Problems raw score using the Child Behavior Checklist at age 4-6 y. Child cognition was assessed using cohort-specific cognitive performance scales and quantified as the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). We fitted multivariate linear regression models that were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors to estimate associations per 2-unit increase in pollutant in each exposure window and examined modification by child sex. Identified critical windows were further verified by distributed lag models (DLMs).ResultsMean NO2 and PM2.5 ranged from 8.4 to 9.0 ppb and 8.4 to 9.1 μg/m3, respectively, across pre- and postnatal windows. Average child Total Problems score and IQ were 22.7 [standard deviation (SD): 18.5] and 102.6 (SD: 15.3), respectively. Children with higher prenatal NO2 exposures were likely to have more behavioral problems [β: 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 2.08; per 2 ppb NO2], particularly NO2 in the first and second trimester. Each 2-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at age 2-4 y was associated with a 3.59 unit (95% CI: 0.35, 6.84) higher Total Problems score and a 2.63 point (95% CI: -5.08, -0.17) lower IQ. The associations between PM2.5 and Total Problems score were generally stronger in girls. Most predefined windows identified were not confirmed by DLMs.DiscussionOur study extends earlier findings that have raised concerns about impaired behavioral functioning and cognitive performance in children exposed to NO2 and PM2.5 in utero and in early life. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10248.

BACKGROUND: Population studies support the adverse associations of air pollution exposures with child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance, but few studies have used spatiotemporally resolved pollutant assessments. OBJECTIVES: We investigated these associations using more refined exposure assessments in 1,967 mother–child dyads from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts in six cities in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium. METHODS: Pre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) exposures were derived from an advanced spatiotemporal model. Child behavior was reported as Total Problems raw score using the Child Behavior Checklist at age 4–6 y. Child cognition was assessed using cohort-specific cognitive performance scales and quantified as the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). We fitted multivariate linear regression models that were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors to estimate associations per 2- unit increase in pollutant in each exposure window and examined modification by child sex. Identified critical windows were further verified by distributed lag models (DLMs). RESULTS: Mean NO2 and PM2.5 ranged from 8.4 to 9.0 ppb and 8.4 to 9.1 µg/m³, respectively, across pre- and postnatal windows. Average child Total Problems score and IQ were 22.7 [standard deviation (SD): 18.5] and 102.6 (SD: 15.3), respectively. Children with higher prenatal NO2 exposures were likely to have more behavioral problems [b: 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 2.08; per 2 ppb NO2], particularly NO2 in the first and second trimester. Each 2-µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 at age 2–4 y was associated with a 3.59 unit (95% CI: 0.35, 6.84) higher Total Problems score and a 2.63 point (95% CI: -5.08, -0.17) lower IQ. The associations between PM2.5 and Total Problems score were generally stronger in girls. Most predefined windows identified were not confirmed by DLMs. DISCUSSION: Our study extends earlier findings that have raised concerns about impaired behavioral functioning and cognitive performance in children exposed to NO2 and PM2.5 in utero and in early life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: PM 2.5 have been associated with weight change in animal models and non-pregnant populations. Evidence of associations between PM 2.5 and gestational weight gain (GWG), an important determinant of course and outcomes of pregnancy, and subsequent birth outcomes is limited., Methods: The study was conducted among a subset of participants from the Omega Study, a prospective pregnancy cohort. Exposure to PM 2.5 (μg/m 3 ) was ascertained for participants (N = 855) based on their residential address using a validated national spatiotemporal model. Adjusted multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations of trimester-specific and pregnancy-month PM 2.5 exposures with early (<20 weeks gestation), late (≥20 weeks gestation), and total GWG and infant birth weight. Stratified models and product terms were used to examine whether pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI) and infant sex modified the associations., Results: Average monthly PM 2.5 exposure during the first, second, and third trimesters were 7.3 μg/m 3 , 7.9 μg/m 3 , and 7.7 μg/m 3 , respectively. Higher third trimester PM 2.5 exposure was associated with higher late (0.40 kg per 5 μg/m (McDowell et al., 2018); 95%CI: 0.12, 0.67) and total (0.35 kg; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.70) GWG among participants with normal ppBMI. Higher second month PM 2.5 exposure was associated with lower early (-0.70 kg; 95%CI: 1.22, -0.18), late (-0.84 kg; 95% CI: 1.54, -0.14), and total (-1.70 kg; 95%CI: 2.57, -0.82) GWG among participants with overweight/obese ppBMI. Product terms between PM 2.5 and ppBMI were significant for second month PM 2.5 exposure and early (p-value = 0.01) and total GWG (p-value<0.01). Higher third trimester PM 2.5 exposure was associated with higher birth weight, though higher fourth month PM 2.5 exposure was associated with lower birth weight, particularly among those with normal ppBMI and male infants., Conclusions: Associations of PM 2.5 with GWG vary by exposure window and ppBMI, while associations of PM 2.5 with birth weight potentially vary by exposure window, ppBMI and infant sex. Further exploration of associations between PM 2.5 and maternal/child health outcomes are needed., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)