The rising frequency and intensity of heat waves due to climate change are putting pregnant women at a higher risk of experiencing preterm and early-term labor. This alarming trend jeopardizes the health and well-being of their babies, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers analyzed 53 million births across the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas over a 25-year period (1993–2017). They found that preterm and early-term birth rates increased significantly when local temperatures remained abnormally high for more than four consecutive days.
This extensive study, led by scientists from Emory University, University of Nevada Reno, Yale University, University of Utah, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, is the largest to date exploring the link between extreme heat and perinatal health. In 2020 alone, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born prematurely worldwide, which is more than 1 in 10 babies. In 2019, around 900,000 children died due to complications from preterm birth, with many survivors facing lifelong challenges, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.
Preterm and early-term births—defined as occurring before 37 and 39 weeks of gestation, respectively—are major contributors to infant mortality and long-term health issues, such as respiratory, cognitive, and behavioral problems. Even a modest increase in these cases can have significant public health implications.
With the forecast predicting a hot summer this year and more frequent heat waves in the future due to climate change, the findings of this study are particularly concerning. “Our research indicates that rising temperatures could lead to worse outcomes for babies, as preterm births are associated with health complications and increased healthcare costs,” said the study’s senior author Howard Chang, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.
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