Prenatal and Early Childhood Atmospheric Pollution and Its Association with Executive Functions, Attention, and Memory in School-Aged Children (Ages 6–12): A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Introduction: Exposure to ambient air pollution during early stages of development represents a significant public health issue due to the heightened vulnerability of the brain throughout gestation and early childhood. Although its association with various neurodevelopmental outcomes has been investigated, evidence linking exposure during prenatal and early postnatal periods to specific cognitive domains in school aged children, such as executive functions, attention, and memory, remains scattered. This scoping review aims to map and synthesize the available evidence regarding these associations in children aged 6 to 12 years. Methods: A scoping review will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the PRISMA ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search will be performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and BIREME for studies published between January 2015 and August 2026, in English or Spanish. Quantitative observational primary studies evaluating exposure to outdoor ambient air pollution during the prenatal period and or between birth and 5 years of age, and its association with executive functions, attention, or memory assessed between ages 6 and 12, will be included. Evidence will be synthesized descriptively and narratively based on air pollutant type, exposure window, assessment method, and cognitive domain. Expected Results: This review aims to map the air pollutants, sources, and exposure windows studied, as well as the methods utilized to estimate exposure and evaluate cognitive outcomes. The direction, magnitude, and consistency of the reported associations will be synthesized, and emerging trends, methodological limitations, confounding factors, and knowledge gaps will be identified to guide future research. Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH): Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Nitrogen Dioxide; Maternal Exposure; Executive Function; Attention; Memory; Child. Keywords: Air pollution; prenatal exposure; early childhood; executive functions; attention; memory; cognitive development; school age.