Short-term exposure to urban air pollution and asthma-related morbidity in children under five: a PRISMA-guided systematic review with narrative synthesis (2021-2025).
Fernando Martín López Domínguez, José Ricardo Tosca Jiménez, Sergio Quiroz Gómez
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the impact of short-term urban air pollution exposure on asthma-related morbidity in children under five. The review included four studies and found that increases in particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were linked to higher rates of hospitalizations and urgent visits for asthma, particularly in colder seasons and high-traffic areas.
Key findings
- Short-term increases in PM2.5/PM10 and NO2 were associated with increased asthma-related hospitalizations.
- Stronger effects were observed during cold seasons.
- Higher traffic environments showed a greater impact on asthma morbidity.
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between air pollution and asthma in young children is crucial for public health. This knowledge can inform policies aimed at reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, ultimately improving pediatric respiratory health.
What to keep in mind
The certainty of evidence was rated as low due to residual confounding and potential exposure misclassification.