Poor air quality can trigger whooping cough in infants, paediatrician suggests tips to protect newborns from pollution

Health risks of air pollution: Polluted air — filled with tiny particles and toxic gases — can inflame delicate lung tissues and weaken the body’s ability to shield itself from germs (Image: Pexels)

Smog is dangerous, not just for adults, older people, and children, but also for newborns. Infants may cough softly, struggle with quick, shallow breaths, or fuss during feeds. Their small bodies feel the strain, showing how even brief exposure can harm their fragile lungs and comfort.

For little ones whose lungs are still forming, smog is a risk they cannot escape on their own. Dr Pankaj Parekh, MD (Paediatrics), DCH, Mumbai, tells Moneycontrol, “Newborns in cities inhale exhaust fumes, factory dust and fine particles with their very first breath, and this early exposure can compromise their natural defences.”

That first breath, meant to mark the beginning of life, can sadly become the baby’s first exposure to harm. “Polluted air — filled with tiny particles and toxic gases — can inflame delicate lung tissues and weaken the body’s ability to shield itself from germs,” says Dr Parekh. He adds, “This sets the stage for infections such as whooping cough, which can be particularly severe in newborns. Many parents don’t realise that air pollution doesn’t cause whooping cough directly; it weakens a newborn’s immunity, giving harmful bacteria like Bordetella pertussis an easier path into the lungs.”

Also read | Healthy newborn care tips every new parent should know

What parents should know

Polluted air affects developing lungs

• A baby’s lungs continue to grow after birth, and pollution can disrupt this delicate process. According to global estimates, over 98 percent of children under five in low- and middle-income countries breathe air that exceeds safe limits.
• This raises the risk of wheezing, chronic cough and infections like whooping cough.

Toxins weaken the body's natural defence

• The airway lining traps germs, but pollutants damage this protective layer.
• Gases like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide inflame the airways, reducing the lungs’ ability to block infection.
• This weakened defence makes bacterial infections harder to fight.

Newborns breathe faster, taking in more pollution

• Babies inhale more air relative to their size, drawing pollutants deeper into their lungs.
• With narrow airways and developing filters, harmful particles remain trapped longer.
• When combined with whooping cough, this leads to more severe coughing fits and longer recovery times.

Vaccination during pregnancy protects newborns

• Vaccinating pregnant women in the second or early third trimester creates protective antibodies.
• These pass through the placenta and shield the baby until they are old enough for their own vaccines.
• Research shows maternal vaccination can prevent up to 91% of severe whooping cough cases in infants under three months.

Protecting newborns in a polluted world

FAQs on Health Risks of Air Pollution in Infants

1. What are the dangers of smog for newborns?

Smog can cause newborns to cough softly, struggle with shallow breaths, and fuss during feeds, as their small lungs feel the strain from even brief exposure.

2. How does pollution affect a newborn's lungs?

Pollution can inflame delicate lung tissues and weaken newborns' ability to defend against germs, raising the risk of infections like whooping cough.

3. Why are newborns more affected by air pollution than older children or adults?

Newborns breathe faster and take in more air relative to their size, drawing pollutants deeper into their lungs, which remain trapped longer due to developing filters.

4. How can pregnant women protect their newborns from air pollution?

Vaccinating during the second or early third trimester creates protective antibodies that pass through the placenta, shielding the baby from severe infections like whooping cough.

5. What can parents do to protect their newborns from polluted air?

Parents can keep indoor air clean, use purifiers, avoid outdoor exposure on high-pollution days, and ensure maternal vaccination during pregnancy for protection.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.