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Survey Finds Extreme Heat Disrupting Pregnancy and Newborn Care
A survey asked 1,000 healthcare workers who care for mothers and babies about extreme heat.
Many said they had seen heat affect pregnant women or newborns.
Some reported pregnancy problems that needed extra care.
They also described babies with low birth weight, dehydration, or trouble feeding, breathing, or staying at a safe temperature.
Heat can make it harder for families to travel to medical care.
Some workers said more patients were coming for urgent or emergency help.
The report says extreme heat is a growing concern for maternity services.
It was shared ahead of COP31 climate talks.
A Wellcome-commissioned survey of 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals covered Australia, Brazil, India, the UK and Zimbabwe.
Seventy-three per cent reported more heat-related cases or complications affecting pregnant women, and 76 per cent reported increases affecting foetal or newborn health.
Nearly all respondents said they had cared for a pregnant woman or baby whose health they believed was harmed by extreme heat.
Respondents reported pregnancy complications, low birth weight or restricted growth, newborn heat illness, and feeding, breathing or temperature-regulation difficulties.
Heat was also reported to make access to care harder for families; 29 per cent of respondents reported more urgent or emergency presentations.
- Who
- A Wellcome-commissioned survey of 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals, and pregnant women and newborns whose health they care for.
- What
- The survey found that healthcare professionals reported heat-related health problems and disruptions to pregnancy and newborn care.
- Where
- The survey covered Australia, Brazil, India, the UK and Zimbabwe; climate talks were being hosted in Fiji ahead of COP31 in Turkey.
- When
- The survey findings were shared ahead of COP31; respondents reported on changes over the past five years.
- Why
- The report examined growing health and care-access risks associated with extreme heat.
Key facts
- Survey size
- 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals
- Survey countries
- Australia, Brazil, India, the UK and Zimbabwe
- Maternal health reports
- 73% reported an increase in heat-related cases or complications affecting pregnant women.
- Foetal or newborn health reports
- 76% reported an increase in heat-related effects on foetal or newborn health.
- Care access
- 27% said extreme heat made it harder for pregnant women and families to travel to or access care.
- Urgent presentations
- 29% reported an increase in urgent or emergency presentations.
- Pregnancy risks cited
- The report describes links between heat exposure and preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and maternal complications.
Quotes
Simon Stiell
Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Climate-driven extreme heat during pregnancy is increasingly linked to premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, and maternal complications.”
NDTV
Julia Gillard
Chair of Wellcome and former Prime Minister of Australia.
“Midwives and doctors from countries across five continents are telling us that extreme heat is affecting the health of pregnant women and newborn babies. No woman should have to fear that extreme heat will harm the baby she is carrying.”
NDTV
Sources
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