Climate Change and Pediatric Respiratory Health: An Emerging Paradigm in Prevention and Critical Care

Abstract Climate change represents one of the most significant public health challenges of the twenty-first century, with profound implications for pediatric respiratory health. Children are disproportionately vulnerable to climate-related respiratory hazards due to their developing physiology, higher respiratory rates, and greater time spent outdoors. This narrative review examines the intersection of climate change and pediatric respiratory disease, focusing on preventive strategies and critical care implications. We explore the mechanisms by which rising temperatures, altered air quality, increased wildfire activity, and changing allergen patterns affect pediatric respiratory health. The review addresses climate-sensitive respiratory conditions, including asthma exacerbations, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and emerging threats such as valley fever and fungal infections. We discuss the concept of climate-sensitive critical illness and examine how extreme weather events strain pediatric intensive care resources. Preventive medicine approaches, including air quality monitoring, climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, community preparedness, and policy interventions, are evaluated. The roles of healthcare professionals in climate advocacy and in integrating climate considerations into pediatric respiratory care protocols are highlighted. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing adaptive healthcare strategies that protect vulnerable pediatric populations.