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Early-Life Exposure to Environmental Air Pollution and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Available Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Imbriani

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Alessandra Panico

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Tiziana Grassi

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Adele Idolo

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Francesca Serio

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Francesco Bagordo

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giovanni De Filippis

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Donato De Giorgi

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Gianfranco Antonucci

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Prisco Piscitelli

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Manuela Colangelo

    (Italian Association of Health, Environment and Society (AISAS), via De Gasperi 22, Lizzanello, 73023 Lecce, Italy)

  • Luigi Peccarisi

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Maria Rosaria Tumolo

    (Research Unit of Brindisi, c/o ex Osp. Di Summa, Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Piazza Di Summa, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
    c/o Campus Ecotekne via Monteroni, Branch of Lecce, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Roberto De Masi

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, “Francesco Ferrari” Hospital, 73042 Casarano, Italy)

  • Alessandro Miani

    (Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, 02100 Milan, Italy
    Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 02100 Milan, Italy)

  • Antonella De Donno

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

The number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has rapidly increased globally. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to the development of ASD. Several studies showed linkage between prenatal, early postnatal air pollution exposure and the risk of developing ASD. We reviewed the available literature concerning the relationship between early-life exposure to air pollutants and ASD onset in childhood. We searched on Medline and Scopus for cohort or case-control studies published in English from 1977 to 2020. A total of 20 articles were selected for the review. We found a strong association between maternal exposure to particulate matter (PM) during pregnancy or in the first years of the children’s life and the risk of the ASD. This association was found to be stronger with PM 2.5 and less evident with the other pollutants. Current evidence suggest that pregnancy is the period in which exposure to environmental pollutants seems to be most impactful concerning the onset of ASD in children. Air pollution should be considered among the emerging risk factors for ASD. Further epidemiological and toxicological studies should address molecular pathways involved in the development of ASD and determine specific cause–effect associations.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Imbriani & Alessandra Panico & Tiziana Grassi & Adele Idolo & Francesca Serio & Francesco Bagordo & Giovanni De Filippis & Donato De Giorgi & Gianfranco Antonucci & Prisco Piscitelli & Manuel, 2021. "Early-Life Exposure to Environmental Air Pollution and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Available Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1204-:d:489458
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marie Lynn Miranda & Sharon E. Edwards & Martha H. Keating & Christopher J. Paul, 2011. "Making the Environmental Justice Grade: The Relative Burden of Air Pollution Exposure in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Alessandra Panico & Tiziana Grassi & Francesco Bagordo & Adele Idolo & Francesca Serio & Maria Rosaria Tumolo & Mattia De Giorgi & Marcello Guido & Maria Tutino & Antonella De Donno, 2020. "Micronucleus Frequency in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of Children Living in an Industrialized Area of Apulia (Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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