⚠️New: Pregnant women exposed to high temperatures or air pollution are more likely to have children who are premature, underweight or stillborn, according to >32 million births in US, and effects hurt African-American mothers and babies the most. 🧵 nytimes.com/2020/06/18/cli…
2) authors looked at 57 studies published since 2007 that found a relationship between heat or air pollution and birth outcomes in 32.8 million births. The findings from the studies offer reason to worry that the toll on babies’ health will grow as climate change worsens.
3) Higher temps were associated with more premature births. 4 studies found that high temperatures were tied to an increased risk of 8.6 percent to 21 percent. Low birth weights were also more common as temperatures rose.
4) “every temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius in the week before delivery corresponded with a 6 percent greater likelihood of stillbirth between May and September. Both studies found racial disparities in the number of stillbirths.”
5) “paper also looked for research examining the effects of pregnancy from greater exposure to two types of air pollution: Ozone, also known as smog, and tiny particles called PM 2.5. Both types of pollution are becoming more common as climate change continues, the authors said.”
6) “The vast majority of the studies concluded that ozone & PM 2.5 are also associated w/ preterm births, low birth weights & stillbirths. One study found high exposure to air pollution during the final trimester of pregnancy was linked to a 42% increase in risk of stillbirth.”
7) “Most studies examined the link between air pollution and preterm birth or low birth weight found that the risks were greater for black mothers.”
“Black moms matter,” added one author, “It’s time to really be paying attention to the groups that are especially vulnerable.”
“Black moms matter,” added one author, “It’s time to really be paying attention to the groups that are especially vulnerable.”
