Abstract
Objective: The present study aims to identify the scientific evidence on the influence of the environment during the critical periods of children’s lung development. Data source: The search was performed in the Bireme database, using the terms: fetal development, child development, environmental exposure, environmental pollutants, lung diseases, health vulnerability and toxicity pathways in the LILACS, MEDLINE and SciELO systems. Data synthesis: The vulnerability of children to respiratory diseases due to environmental hazards occurs because very specific physiological characteristics are found in this population. Exposure to toxic agents during the sensitive phases of child development can cause negative impacts to the normal physical lung. The caused effects are reflected in the increased prevalence on children morbidity with temporary or permanent pulmonary damage. Conclusion: Understanding the effects of environmental exposures on the child lung and how they are established can contribute to the ultimate goal of prevention, i.e. to avoid, minimize or reduce the exposure of children to risk factors for their health.
Highlights
ConclusionUnderstanding the effects of environmental exposures on the child lung and how they are established can contribute to the ultimate goal of prevention, i.e. to avoid, minimize or reduce the exposure of children to risk factors for their health
There are many problems facing children that contribute to the burden of environmental diseases in this population under 5 years
Understanding the effects of environmental exposures on the child lung and how they are established can contribute to the ultimate goal of prevention, i.e. to avoid, minimize or reduce the exposure of children to risk factors for their health
Summary
The review has clearly shown the causal link of environment hazards on children pulmonary health during critical periods of development: in-utero, when exposure to second-hand smoking has a negative impact on lung maturation and on the anthropometric measures of newborns[45]; in infants, when exposure to toxic agents at home affects the respiratory tract and increases the prevalence of pulmonary infections During this period of life, children stay longer at home, in direct contact with environmental pollutants[46]; and in preschool years, when respiratory diseases are more common, with higher risks of temporary or permanent damage to the normal physical lung and, to their current and future health[29]. Knowledge of the effects of environmental exposure on the lungs of children and how they are caused can contribute to the ultimate goal of prevention, i.e. to avoid, minimize or reduce the exposure of children to risk factors
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