Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2025

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
05:18

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters

Published on: July 12, 2024

377

Impact of air pollution on stunting among children in Africa

Priyanka N deSouza1,2, Melanie Hammer3,4, Peter Anthamatten5

  • 1Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA. priyanka.desouza@ucdenver.edu.

Environmental Health : a Global Access Science Source
|December 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to increased childhood stunting and lower height-for-age z-scores in Africa. Urgent mitigation of PM2.5 is crucial for addressing child undernutrition across the continent.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Global Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Undernutrition is a major global health crisis, particularly impacting children under five.
  • The effects of in-utero and early-childhood air pollution exposure on undernutrition are not well understood.
  • This study investigates the link between PM2.5 exposure and child malnutrition in Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between prenatal and early-life exposure to PM2.5 and child malnutrition (stunting and HAZ).
  • To identify critical windows of susceptibility during pregnancy to PM2.5 exposure.
  • To assess these associations across 32 African countries.

Main Methods:

  • Linked nationally representative anthropometric data (58 DHS surveys, 264,207 children) with satellite-derived in-utero PM2.5 concentrations.
  • Estimated associations between PM2.5 and stunting/HAZ, controlling for child, mother, and household factors.
  • Analyzed trimester-specific PM2.5 exposure and its impact on stunting.

Main Results:

  • Higher in-utero PM2.5 exposure was associated with lower height-for-age z-scores and increased stunting.
  • A statistically significant association was found for stunting (OR: 1.016 per 10 μg/m³ increase).
  • The strongest associations between PM2.5 and stunting occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal and early-life PM2.5 exposure is a significant marker for childhood undernutrition in Africa.
  • Findings underscore the urgent need to reduce PM2.5 concentrations to combat child malnutrition on the continent.
  • This study provides critical evidence on the impact of air pollution on child health in Africa.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India09:33

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India

Published on: December 23, 2022

2.3K
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

23.6K

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
20.6K
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
393
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
1.8K
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
2.7K
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
60.1K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
2.9K