Study: Effects of climate change become visible in maternal health

Exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight, according to a study coordinated by researchers from the University of Adelaide, cited by Xinhua. The research analyzed medical records of more than 85,000 mothers and children in Pakistan, correlating information on births from 2008 to 2017 with detailed meteorological data. The aim was to assess the impact of exposure to extreme heat on birth weight, a key indicator of newborn health.

• 18% of newborns, below the normal threshold

The results show that about 18% of babies were born with low birth weight - defined as weighing less than 2.5 kilograms or below the average size for gestational age. The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, estimates that about 13% of these cases are directly associated with exposure to high temperatures.

• Risks increasing with global warming

Researchers warn that this percentage could increase by 8% to 10% by the 2060s, amid the intensification of heatwaves generated by climate change. In some regions of Pakistan, pregnant women exposed to extreme heat were up to 70% more likely to give birth to underweight babies.

• Serious consequences for children's health

According to the coordinator of the study, Zohra Lassi, low birth weight is associated with: increased neonatal mortality, developmental delays, long-term cognitive disorders. These effects can have an impact on the child's entire life.

• Inequalities and vulnerabilities are heightened

Lead author Hira Fatima warns that the risks are compounded by factors such as poverty, limited access to health services, air pollution and maternal malnutrition. "Climate change can exacerbate risks for mothers and newborns in deeply inequitable ways,” she warns.

The study authors highlight the urgent need for: strengthening maternal health services, strategies adapted to heat waves, public policies that integrate climate risks into prenatal care. The research results highlight an increasingly clear link between climate change and human health, especially in vulnerable regions.

As global temperatures rise, the impact on future generations is becoming a major concern for health systems and policymakers.