Objective  To explore the relationship between the incidence of neonatal hemangioma and ambient air quality in Shenyang city and to provide references for the prevention of hemangioma.

  Methods  We collected data on neonatal hemangioma incidents reported by 63 disease surveillance sites in 13 districts (counties) of Shenyang municipality from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, and extracted the data on ambient air concentrations of sulfur dioxide ( SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀) form Environmental Quality Report issued by Shenyang Environmental Monitoring Center simultaneously. Then we analyzed the relationship between the concentration of SO₂, NO₂, and PM₁₀ in ambient air and the incidence of neonatal hemangioma.

  Results  During the 5-year period, the average concentrations of SO₂, NO₂ and PM₁₀ in ambient air in the city were 0.058 ± 0.060, 0.038 ± 0.019, and 0.113 ± 0.063 mg/m³ and the mean incidence rate of neonatal hemangioma was 13.86/10 000. The annual incidence rates of neonatal hemangioma were 6.13, 18.49, 20.79, 13.51, and 9.21 per 10 000 neonates in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively, with a significant yearly difference (χ² = 61.59, P < 0.05). The variation in the incidence of neonatal hemangioma was basically consistent with the that of ambient air concentration of SO₂ and PM₁₀ but not consistent with that of NO₂ for residential area of the pregnant women during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

  Conclusion  Pregnant women′s exposure to SO₂ and PM₁₀ in ambient air during the first trimester of pregnancy may associate with the incidence of neonatal hemangioma in Shenyang city.