Babies exposed to high amounts of air pollution in the womb show slower signs of development (worse language and motor development) at 18 months than those exposed to lower levels

>498 infants from Greater London were involved in the study, recruited from St Thomas’ Hospital between 2015-2020. Of the cohort, 125 were born prematurely, and within that group 54 born less than 32 weeks – known as ‘very and extremely preterm’. The infants underwent a standard clinical test of development, known as Bayley Scales, which measures cognitive, language and motor skills – with scores of 100 reflecting population average.
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>Those exposed to high pollution in the first trimester of pregnancy scored on average 5-7 points lower compared to babies exposed to low pollution on language tests. There was no association with pollution in second and third trimesters.
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>Premature babies exposed to the highest pollution levels in the womb across all of pregnancy, scored on average 11 points less than those exposed to low levels for motor skills.

[Prenatal air pollution exposure is associated with altered neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood – Bonthrone – The Journal of Physiology – Wiley Online Library](https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP290327)

Could you image the negative effects of two overweight, unhealthy parents have on a child? This is sadly the norm now. Let alone the environmental damage on top of parents who don’t prioritize their health or consider the ramifications of their unhealthy lifestyles will have on their child.