I’m a Philly neonatologist, and every time I discharge a baby from the NICU, I worry about the air they’ll breathe at home

Even small increases in air pollution can increase the risk of serious respiratory illnesses for preterm infants and their risk of having asthma as they get older.

By: Tim Nelin, University of Pennsylvania, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 21, 2026

Words: 1,162

Last Updated: 4 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Tim Nelin, University of Pennsylvania

Discharge day in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, should feel like a finish line. After weeks or months of monitors, alarms, oxygen, feeding tubes, blood tests and waiting, a family can finally take their baby home.

As a neonatologist, I know how much work it takes to get that baby there. Their lungs have grown stronger. Their feeding has improved. Their medications have been adjusted and …

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