Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41013492›Full record

SynthesisEnvironmental health : a global access science source2025

Impact of prenatal and postnatal household air pollution exposure on respiratory morbidity and lung function in sub-Saharan African children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Serge Mushamuka Zigabe, Jacques L Tamuzi, Jaan Toelen, Peter H M Hoet, Patrick D M C Katoto

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Environmental health : a global access science source, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Serge Mushamuka ZigabeCentre for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. zigabe.mushamuka@ucbukavu.ac.cd.
Jacques L TamuziDivision of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
Jaan Toelen *Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Peter H M Hoet *Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Patrick D M C Katoto *Centre for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHousehold air pollution (HAP) from biomass fuel combustion is a major contributor to respiratory morbidity and mortality among children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the growing body of evidence, the effects of prenatal and postnatal HAP exposure on child respiratory outcomes remain incompletely understood.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the impact of prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to HAP on respiratory health in children aged < 18 years in SSA. We searched eight major databases up to March 31, 2025, and assessed risk of bias using ROB2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled relative risks (RR) and mean differences (MD), with heterogeneity assessed by I² statistics.

resultsEighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including randomized trials, cross-sectional, and case-control designs from ten SSA countries. Exposure to CO, NO₂, PM

conclusionPrenatal and postnatal exposure to HAP is associated with increased respiratory morbidity and impaired lung function among children in SSA. While clean cooking interventions may reduce symptoms, substantial pollutant reductions are needed to achieve meaningful health outcomes. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs, refined exposure assessment, and the identification of critical exposure windows to inform targeted interventions.

Indexed as

Air PollutantsAir Pollution, IndoorEnvironmental ExposurePrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsRespiratory Tract DiseasesAfrica South of the SaharaChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantLungPregnancyAir PollutantsChildrenCookstovesHousehold air pollutionParticulate matterPostnatal exposurePrenatal exposureRespiratory healthSub-Saharan africa

Identifiers

PMID41013492
PMCPMC12465955

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.