A systematic review and meta-analysis of heat exposure impacts on maternal, fetal and neonatal health.

ABSTRACT: Climate change has severe and wide-ranging health impacts, especially for vulnerable groups. Despite growing evidence of heat-associated adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes, there remains a lack of synthesis quantifying associations and identifying specific risk periods. We systematically reviewed the literature on heat impacts on maternal, fetal and neonatal health and quantified impacts through meta-analyses. We found 198 studies across 66 countries, predominantly high income (63.3%) and temperate climate zones (40.1%), and 23 outcomes. Results showed increased odds of preterm birth of 1.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03, 1.06; n = 12) per 1 °C increase in heat exposure and 1.26 (95% CI = 1.08, 1.47; n = 10) during heat waves. Similarly, high heat exposure increased the r

SUBMITTER: Lakhoo DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11835737 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature