The number of births fell 5.1 per cent from a year earlier to 758,631, while the number of marriages slid 5.9 per cent to 489,281 the first time in 90 years the number fell below 500,000 foreboding a further decline in the population
Babies born to mothers exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 are more likely to experience severe respiratory distress, requiring interventions such as assisted ventilation and systemic antibiotics.