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Exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular risk in young children - a pilot project

Judith A Groner1,2, Lisa Nicholson3, John Anthony Bauer4,5,6

  • 1AAP Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence, Itasca, IL, USA. judith.groner2@nationwidechildrens.org.

Pediatric Research
|July 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) may increase cardiovascular risk in young children. Exposure was linked to higher levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which could indicate early vascular damage.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a known cardiovascular risk factor in adults.
  • Early life exposure to environmental toxins may initiate long-term health consequences.
  • Cardiovascular health in childhood is increasingly recognized as critical for adult well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and preclinical cardiovascular disease markers in healthy young children (ages 2-5).
  • To assess if TRAP exposure correlates with specific biomarkers related to endothelial function and systemic inflammation.
  • To explore potential early indicators of vascular damage in response to air pollution in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 122 healthy children aged 2-5 years was recruited from primary care settings.
  • Data collected included child anthropometrics, blood pressure, and hair nicotine levels.
  • TRAP exposure was estimated using national air pollution data (particulate matter, NO2, NOx, proximity to roadways) based on residential census tracts.

Main Results:

  • TRAP exposure showed a significant positive association with two subtypes of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).
  • Specifically, the CD133+/CD45- EPC subtype correlated significantly with all measured TRAP indicators in a multivariable regression model.
  • No significant associations were found between TRAP exposure and markers of systemic inflammation or oxidation.

Conclusions:

  • The observed upregulation of EPCs in response to TRAP exposure may indicate early vascular damage in young children.
  • These findings suggest that even pollution levels below EPA thresholds can elicit a biological response related to cardiovascular health.
  • This pilot study highlights the potential for air pollution to impact vascular health during early childhood, warranting further investigation.
Abstract

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