32% of heat-related neonatal deaths in poor countries due to climate change: Study

Climate change has emerged as a global challenge with far-reaching impacts on various facets of human life, from elderly to the poor who often have to work in adverse conditions and are among the most vulnerable. 

It has come to light now that among the most vulnerable also are newborns in low- and middle-income countries, where the effects of non-optimal ambient temperatures have been linked to increased neonatal mortality. 

A recent study published in Nature Communications delves into this pressing issue, revealing significant findings on the relationship between climate change and temperature-related neonatal deaths. 

Impact on Neonatal Mortality

The study examined neonatal mortality across 29 low- and middle-income countries between 2001 and 2019, focusing on the effects of high and low ambient temperatures. The findings indicate that exposure to non-optimal temperatures significantly increases the risk of neonatal mortality. Specifically, approximately 4.3% of all neonatal deaths during the study period were associated with non-optimal temperatures. This statistic underscores the critical need for addressing temperature issues to safeguard newborns’ health and well-being.

Heat-Related Neonatal Mortality

Heat-related neonatal deaths emerged as a significant concern in the study. On average, heat-related deaths accounted for 1.5% of the year-round burden of neonatal mortality across the included countries. The study revealed that the heat-related neonatal deaths in the factual scenario represented a 46% increase compared to a counterfactual scenario without climate change. This equates to an alarming 175,133 additional neonatal deaths attributable to climate change.

These findings highlight the urgent need for interventions to protect newborns from heat-related risks. The study suggests that measures such as improved healthcare infrastructure, access to cooling technologies, and public health campaigns on the dangers of high temperatures could be crucial in mitigating these risks.

The Climate Change Effect

While heat-related deaths are a significant concern, cold-related neonatal deaths also pose a substantial threat. The study found that cold-related deaths accounted for 2.9% of the neonatal mortality burden. However, in a somewhat paradoxical twist, climate change has had a mitigating effect on cold-related deaths. The study estimates that climate change reduced the burden of cold-related neonatal deaths by an average of 30%, resulting in 457,384 fewer neonatal deaths but was also responsible for 32% of heat-related neonatal deaths.

This reduction can be attributed to the general warming trend associated with climate change, which has alleviated some of the extreme cold conditions that contribute to neonatal mortality. Nevertheless, the overall impact of climate change remains predominantly negative, particularly due to the increase in heat-related deaths.

Regional Variations

The study also revealed significant regional variations in temperature-related neonatal mortality rates. Countries with the highest overall neonatal mortality rates—Pakistan, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria—also recorded the highest temperature-related neonatal mortality rates, exceeding 160 neonatal deaths per 100,000 live births. These findings highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on already vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, the study identified the countries with the largest increases in heat-related neonatal mortality rates due to climate change. Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Haiti experienced the most significant increases, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in these regions. Conversely, the largest reductions in cold-related neonatal mortality rates were observed in Liberia, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Guinea. These reductions emphasize the complex and varied effects of climate change across different regions and the importance of localized responses.

Specific Findings by Temperature Ranges

The study’s analysis of temperature ranges provided additional insights into the relationship between ambient temperatures and neonatal mortality. Moderately hot and moderately cold temperatures were found to be responsible for the largest fraction of temperature-related neonatal deaths across all locations. This finding suggests that not only extreme temperatures but also moderate deviations from optimal temperatures can significantly impact neonatal health.

Efforts to mitigate temperature-related neonatal mortality should therefore consider a broad range of temperature conditions. This could involve developing early warning systems, enhancing community awareness about the risks of temperature extremes, and implementing adaptive measures to protect newborns from both heat and cold.

The findings of this study underscore the significant impact of climate change on neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries. The association between non-optimal temperatures and increased neonatal deaths highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address climate change and its effects on vulnerable populations. 

Interventions should focus on improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing community awareness, and implementing adaptive measures to protect newborns from temperature extremes. Moreover, policymakers must prioritize climate change mitigation efforts to reduce the overall burden of temperature-related neonatal mortality.

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49890-x