Exploring the Effects of Environmental Factors on the Development of 0–4-Year Old Children in The Netherlands

• Main Authors: Luuk van Wel, Paula van Dommelen, Moniek Zuurbier, Debbie Heinen, Jennie Odink, Janine Bezem, Paul H. Verkerk, Anjoeka Pronk, Gerard Hoek, Eelco Kuijpers
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: child health; early life development; environmental exposure; air pollution; green space; D-score
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7782

Air pollution, noise, and green space are important environmental exposures, having been linked to a variety of specific health outcomes. However, there are few studies addressing overall early life development. To assess their effects, associations between developmental milestones for a large population of 0–4-year old children in The Netherlands and environmental exposures were explored. Developmental milestones and background characteristics were provided by Preventive Child Health Care (PCHC) and supplemented with data from Statistics Netherlands. Milestones were summarized and standardized into an aggregate score measuring global development. Four age groups were selected. Environmental exposures were assigned to geocoded addresses using publicly available maps for PM_2.5, PM₁₀, PM_coarse, NO₂, EC, road traffic noise, and green space. Associations were investigated using single and multiple-exposure logistic regression models. 43,916 PCHC visits by 29,524 children were available. No consistent associations were found for air pollution and road traffic noise. Green space was positively associated in single and multiple-exposure models although it was not significant in all age groups (OR 1.01 (0.95; 1.08) (1 year) to 1.07 (1.01; 1.14) (2 years)). No consistent associations were found between air pollution, road traffic noise, and global child development. A positive association of green space was indicated.