Journal of xenobiotics
Early Life Ambient Air Pollution and Child Neurodevelopment: Critical Review of Cohort Evidence
By Al-Atram AA, Elkossi M, Aly SE and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Ambient air pollution is a pervasive exposure during pregnancy and childhood, when the central nervous system undergoes rapid development.
Objective
To critically examine selected cohort evidence on prenatal and early-childhood exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), with particular attention to null findings, exposure assessment, confounding and causal interpretation.
Methods
This narrative review used purposive evidence selection and targeted updating of PubMed-indexed records and publisher reports through 30 August 2026. Eligibility and selection priorities are stated explicitly. Representative studies were appraised qualitatively for exposure measurement, outcome ascertainment, confounding, selection, and multiplicity; no registered systematic review protocol, duplicate screening, formal risk-of-bias score, or de novo meta-analysis was used.