Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights
Climate change and air pollution are reshaping viral circulation patterns and increasing host vulnerability, amplifying the burden of respiratory illness in early childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how environmental exposures, particularly to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/690 |
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| author | Cecilia Nobili Matteo Riccò Giulia Piglia Paolo Manzoni |
| author_facet | Cecilia Nobili Matteo Riccò Giulia Piglia Paolo Manzoni |
| author_sort | Cecilia Nobili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate change and air pollution are reshaping viral circulation patterns and increasing host vulnerability, amplifying the burden of respiratory illness in early childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how environmental exposures, particularly to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter, contribute to the incidence and severity of bronchiolitis, with a focus on biological mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and public health implications. Bronchiolitis remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infancy, with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being responsible for the majority of severe cases. Airborne pollutants penetrate deep into the airways, triggering inflammation, compromising mucosal defenses, and impairing immune function, especially in infants with pre-existing vulnerabilities. These interactions can intensify the clinical course of viral infections and contribute to more severe disease presentations. Children in urban areas exposed to high levels of traffic-related emissions are disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for integrated public health interventions. These include stricter emission controls, urban design strategies to reduce exposure, and real-time health alerts during pollution peaks. Prevention strategies should also address indoor air quality and promote risk awareness among families and caregivers. Further research is needed to standardize exposure assessments, clarify dose–response relationships, and deepen our understanding of how pollution interacts with viral immunity. Bronchiolitis emerges as a sentinel condition at the crossroads of climate, environment, and pediatric health, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration across clinical medicine, epidemiology, and environmental science. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ecb6537856f04152bfa902b65b8e8727 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-ecb6537856f04152bfa902b65b8e87272025-08-20T03:08:13ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-07-0114769010.3390/pathogens14070690Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical InsightsCecilia Nobili0Matteo Riccò1Giulia Piglia2Paolo Manzoni3SCDU Pediatria e Neonatologia, Ospedale Degli Infermi, Dipartimento Materno-Infantile ASLBI, 13875 Ponderano, BI, ItalyAUSL–IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), 42123 Reggio Emilia, RE, ItalySchool of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, TO, ItalySCDU Pediatria e Neonatologia, Ospedale Degli Infermi, Dipartimento Materno-Infantile ASLBI, 13875 Ponderano, BI, ItalyClimate change and air pollution are reshaping viral circulation patterns and increasing host vulnerability, amplifying the burden of respiratory illness in early childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how environmental exposures, particularly to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter, contribute to the incidence and severity of bronchiolitis, with a focus on biological mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and public health implications. Bronchiolitis remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infancy, with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being responsible for the majority of severe cases. Airborne pollutants penetrate deep into the airways, triggering inflammation, compromising mucosal defenses, and impairing immune function, especially in infants with pre-existing vulnerabilities. These interactions can intensify the clinical course of viral infections and contribute to more severe disease presentations. Children in urban areas exposed to high levels of traffic-related emissions are disproportionately affected, underscoring the need for integrated public health interventions. These include stricter emission controls, urban design strategies to reduce exposure, and real-time health alerts during pollution peaks. Prevention strategies should also address indoor air quality and promote risk awareness among families and caregivers. Further research is needed to standardize exposure assessments, clarify dose–response relationships, and deepen our understanding of how pollution interacts with viral immunity. Bronchiolitis emerges as a sentinel condition at the crossroads of climate, environment, and pediatric health, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration across clinical medicine, epidemiology, and environmental science.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/690climate changeair pollutionbronchiolitisRSVenvironmental health |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia Nobili Matteo Riccò Giulia Piglia Paolo Manzoni Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights Pathogens climate change air pollution bronchiolitis RSV environmental health |
| title | Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights |
| title_full | Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights |
| title_short | Impact of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Bronchiolitis: A Narrative Review Bridging Environmental and Clinical Insights |
| title_sort | impact of climate change and air pollution on bronchiolitis a narrative review bridging environmental and clinical insights |
| topic | climate change air pollution bronchiolitis RSV environmental health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/690 |
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