Prospective association of air‐purifier usage during pregnancy with infant neurodevelopment: A nationwide longitudinal study—japan environment and children’s study (jecs)

Abstract

Fetal exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with infant developmental delay likely via neuroinflammation and prefrontal cortex lesions; however, whether air‐purifier usage, which can reduce indoor PM levels, is related to infant developmental delay remains unknown. We therefore examined the prospective relationship between air‐purifier usage during pregnancy and infant developmental delay by analyzing 82,441 mother–infant pairs using a simple yes/no questionnaire. Developmental delays at 6 and 12 months were assessed in five areas using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. A generalized linear mixed model analysis was used to derive adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) while controlling for 20 covariates. The analysis revealed that air‐purifier usage was associated with developmental delays in fine motor (AOR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83–0.99) and problem solving (AOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77–0.90) at 6 months and in communication (AOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79–0.93), fine motor (AOR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82– 0.92), problem solving (AOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77–0.88), and personal–social (AOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72– 0.86) at 12 months. In conclusion, a negative association exists between air‐purifier usage during pregnancy and infant neurodevelopmental delay that strengthens with time. Our results outline the potential role of air purifiers in inhibiting infant neurodevelopmental delay.