Short-term effects of air pollutants on hospitalization for childhood respiratory diseases in Suzhou City: a time-stratified case-crossover study

The short-term exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, and CO in Suzhou, China, exhibited a positive correlation with RD hospitalization. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse impacts of air pollutants on hospitalizations for childhood respiratory disease were mitigated compared to the period following the pandemic. Local governments should continue promoting decisions and measures for air pollution prevention and control to reduce further pollutant concentration, which is crucial for public health in reducing the burden of childhood respiratory diseases.