Chen CC, Chen SM, Chang YZ, et al. - This epidemiological study was conducted with the aim to report on the correlation between maternal ambient pollutant exposure and neonatal jaundice in multiple pollutant species and to determine how the correlation differs by gender.

• A national database yielded data of 13,297 newborns (6,153 males, 7,144 females) born in Taichung, Taiwan.

• Division of average concentrations of prenatal air pollutants 3 months prior to birth was done into low, middle and high levels.

• Increase in neonatal jaundice treatment rates for phototherapy and higher neonatal serum total bilirubin levels were recorded in correlation with maternal exposure to air pollutants.

• Phototherapy rates were higher for male newborns born to mothers exposed to high CO, NO, NO₂, and CH₄ levels.

• The same was noted in female newborns for CO and CH₄.

• CO, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO, NO₂, NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon), and CH₄ exposure 3 months prior to birth had a positive correlation with serum bilirubin levels among male newborns.

• In female newborns, a positive correlation was observed for CH₄.

• In male newborns, CO, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, NMHC, CH₄ exposure correlated positively with serum hemoglobin levels.