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Heat & Humidity Harm Babies More Than Heat Alone
22 Dec
Summary
- Hot, humid pregnancy conditions increase child health risks significantly.
- Third trimester exposure to heat and humidity is four times worse.
- South Asia faces millions more stunted children by 2050.
Exposure to hot, humid conditions during pregnancy poses a significant danger to infant health, with impacts far exceeding those of heat alone. Research indicates that combined heat and humidity in utero can lead to increased stunting in children.
Specific vulnerabilities were observed during early and late pregnancy stages. Findings published in 'Science' reveal that third-trimester exposure to both heat and humidity is about four times worse for health outcomes than heat exposure alone. This is partly because high humidity hinders the body's ability to cool down.
Projections suggest that under continued global warming, South Asia will be particularly affected, potentially leading to over three million additional stunted children by 2050. Researchers emphasize that current assessments focusing solely on temperature may underestimate the true impact of extreme weather on child health.
