Pediatrics · Public Health · 54 min ago
Review outlines possible links between air pollution and sudden infant death
A critical narrative review examines whether air pollution could contribute to sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) through neurotoxic effects. The authors describe plausible pathways involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and disruption of brainstem functions, but emphasize that causal evidence remains limited.
- Review proposes neurotoxic pathways linking pollution and SUDI.
- Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are candidate mechanisms.
- Evidence is limited and does not establish causality.
Researchers conducted a critical narrative review using MEDLINE searches performed from April to October 2025, supplemented by reference screening. They identified 208 references and cited 42 in the results. The review considered epidemiological, experimental and review studies to develop hypotheses about how air pollution might affect infant nervous-system development and autonomic regulation. It did not use a formal systematic-review protocol or PRISMA flow diagram, and the initial screening was performed by one reviewer.
The authors propose that pollutant exposure could promote oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, alter neurotransmission and disrupt brainstem functions involved in respiratory and autonomic control. These effects may relate to structural and neurochemical changes reported in deceased infants. The review frames air pollution as a potential cofactor that could increase vulnerability within the multifactorial model of SUDI, rather than as an established cause.
Most mechanistic evidence discussed comes from SIDS research, a subset of SUDI, and classification practices vary across settings. The authors note a shortage of SUDI-specific mechanistic data and call for multidisciplinary studies to clarify exposure pathways and causality. The findings are hypothesis-generating and do not establish an intervention or change to clinical practice.
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Pediatric Research: Air pollution and sudden unexpected death in infancy: a critical review of potential neurotoxic mechanisms ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.