Air pollution during pregnancy is associated with slower brain maturation in newborns

16/10/2025

Greater exposure of mothers to airborne particulate matter during pregnancy is linked to lower levels of brain myelination in newborns. This is highlighted by the first study to measure neonatal brain myelination using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Published in the journal Environment International, it is the result of a collaboration between Hospital del Mar and ISGlobal. The research shows that prenatal exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) is associated with slower brain maturation during the first month of life. Myelination is a key marker of brain development.

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