Heat waves increase risk of preterm, early-term birth
New study highlights link between extreme heat and perinatal health
Jun 4, 2024 - by Staff
As heat waves become more frequent and intense, mothers are facing increased risk of preterm and early-term labor, according to new research. This is jeopardizing the health and well-being of their babies.
An analysis of 53 million births that occurred in the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas from 1993 to 2017 showed the rates of preterm and early-term births increased when local temperatures were abnormally hot for more than four consecutive days.
The study — led by researchers from Emory University, University of Nevada Reno, Yale University, University of Utah and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) — is the largest to date investigating the association between extreme heat and perinatal health.
NSF NCAR scientist Andrew Newman, a co-author, helped analyze meteorological data for the study and interpret the results.
“This study shows the value of interdisciplinary work that combines meteorological expertise and data with epidemiology, statistics, and public health to advance our understanding of critical societal problems such as heat and human health,” Newman said.
The study was published last week in JAMA Network Open. See the Emory University news release for more details.