This site uses cookies, including Google Analytics, to understand how it's used. By continuing to browse, you agree to this. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Infographic illustration of in utero heat exposure and long-term health impacts

Impacts of heat exposure in utero on long-term health and social outcomes: a systematic review

Publications HE²AT Center · 25 October 2024

Researching the long-term effects of heat exposure during pregnancy is critical as global temperatures rise. This systematic review of 29 studies found that prenatal heat exposure is associated with lower earnings, reduced educational attainment, worsened cardiovascular, respiratory, and psychiatric outcomes, and higher mortality risks.

Prenatal heat exposure is associated with lower earnings, reduced educational attainment, worsened cardiovascular, respiratory, and psychiatric outcomes, and higher mortality risks.

The systematic review examined 29 studies to investigate how maternal heat exposure during pregnancy affects long-term child development and wellbeing across multiple health and social domains.

Authors: Brink, N., Lakhoo, D. P., Solarin, I., et al.
Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 24, 344 (2024)
Read the full paper →
Funding Acknowledgement

Research was supported by the Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and OD/Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54TW012083. Additional support was provided by the HarmonAIze supplement (3U54TW012083-04S1) and the CHEAQI-MNCH project (U01ES036146). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.