Impact of indoor environment on children's cognitive development and its biological mechanisms

ZHANG Yunfeng; XU Huiqiong; WAN Yuhui

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0622

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (7) : 808-814. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0622

Review

Impact of indoor environment on children's cognitive development and its biological mechanisms

ZHANG Yunfeng¹, XU Huiqiong², WAN Yuhui^1,3

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Abstract

The potential impact of the indoor environment on children's cognitive development has attracted increasing attention. Existing studies suggest that indoor environmental exposures may affect the development of children's cognitive function through mechanisms such as blood-brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress.This review summarizes recent research on the relationship between indoor environmental factors and children's cognitive development from the perspectives of physical, chemical, and biological environments, and further discusses the possible underlying biological mechanisms. Overall, although the number of related studies has increased, the existing evidence remains limited. Future research should strengthen prospective cohort studies and intervention studies to clarify the association between indoor environmental factors and children's cognitive function, thereby providing evidence to support children's healthy development.

Key words

indoor environment / cognitive function / biological mechanisms / children

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ZHANG Yunfeng, XU Huiqiong, WAN Yuhui. Impact of indoor environment on children's cognitive development and its biological mechanisms[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(7): 808-814 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0622

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