Knowledge | Heat waves linked to preterm birth risk: 53 million delivery records reveal the adverse effects of high temperatures during pregnancy
A large study found that four consecutive days of extreme heat—a heat wave—significantly increased the risk of preterm or early-term delivery. The analysis covered health records from more than 53 million deliveries in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas between 1993 and 2017. After each four-day heat wave, preterm birth rates increased by 2% and early-term birth rates by 1%.
The study was led by Howard Chang, PhD, professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and published in JAMA Network Open.
Each 1°C increase linked to a 1% rise in preterm birth risk
The study defined a heat wave as 4 consecutive days when temperatures exceeded the local historical 97.5th percentile for daily mean temperature. Within these events, each 1°C increase in average temperature was associated with a 1% increase in both preterm and early-term birth rates.
Preterm birth occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, early-term birth occurs from 37 to 39 weeks, and full term is 40 weeks. Dr. Chang said: “As heat waves become increasingly frequent with climate change, we are at a public health crossroads.”
He warned: “We expect this summer to continue the extreme heat trend seen in 2023. Our findings indicate that high temperatures will lead to worse perinatal outcomes, including the health risks and healthcare burden associated with preterm birth.”
Health disparities during heat waves: vulnerable groups face greater harm
The study revealed not only a direct link between temperature and preterm birth but also social health disparities during extreme weather. The data showed higher post-heat-wave preterm birth risk among:
Women aged 29 or younger;
People with a high school education or less;
Women from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds.
These three groups faced higher preterm birth risk after heat waves.
The team suggested that limited access to air conditioning, poor housing conditions, and barriers to prenatal care may intensify the physiological burden of heat.
Dr. Chang called for prompt adaptation of public health policies, including:
Providing heat alerts;
Establishing cooling centers specifically for pregnant women;
Strengthening perinatal health interventions for high-risk groups;
Ensuring vulnerable groups have adequate healthcare and environmental support during extreme weather.
Knowledge | Heat waves linked to preterm birth risk: 53 million delivery records reveal the adverse effects of high temperatures during pregnancy
Knowledge | Heat waves linked to preterm birth risk: 53 million delivery records reveal the adverse effects of high temperatures during pregnancy
A large study found that four consecutive days of extreme heat—a heat wave—significantly increased the risk of preterm or early-term delivery. The analysis covered health records from more than 53 million deliveries in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas between 1993 and 2017. After each four-day heat wave, preterm birth rates increased by 2% and early-term birth rates by 1%.
The study was led by Howard Chang, PhD, professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and published in JAMA Network Open.
Each 1°C increase linked to a 1% rise in preterm birth risk
The study defined a heat wave as 4 consecutive days when temperatures exceeded the local historical 97.5th percentile for daily mean temperature. Within these events, each 1°C increase in average temperature was associated with a 1% increase in both preterm and early-term birth rates.
Preterm birth occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, early-term birth occurs from 37 to 39 weeks, and full term is 40 weeks. Dr. Chang said: “As heat waves become increasingly frequent with climate change, we are at a public health crossroads.”
He warned: “We expect this summer to continue the extreme heat trend seen in 2023. Our findings indicate that high temperatures will lead to worse perinatal outcomes, including the health risks and healthcare burden associated with preterm birth.”
Health disparities during heat waves: vulnerable groups face greater harm
The study revealed not only a direct link between temperature and preterm birth but also social health disparities during extreme weather. The data showed higher post-heat-wave preterm birth risk among:
Women aged 29 or younger;
People with a high school education or less;
Women from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds.
These three groups faced higher preterm birth risk after heat waves.
The team suggested that limited access to air conditioning, poor housing conditions, and barriers to prenatal care may intensify the physiological burden of heat.
Dr. Chang called for prompt adaptation of public health policies, including:
Providing heat alerts;
Establishing cooling centers specifically for pregnant women;
Strengthening perinatal health interventions for high-risk groups;
Ensuring vulnerable groups have adequate healthcare and environmental support during extreme weather.
Source:
Collected online