Land Surface Temperatures at Different Time Points in Pregnancy and Their Impact on Birth Outcomes within the Mother and Child in the Environment Birth Cohort in Durban, South Africa
1
Discipline of occupational and environmental health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Climate change has resulted in increasing temperatures worldwide(1). Associations between thermal exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes have been found(2-5). Few studies on this topic have been conducted among pregnant women living in low socioeconomic communities(6). This study aims to investigate land surface temperature (LST) at different time points in pregnancy and its impact on birth outcomes within the Mother and Child in the Environment (MACE) birth cohort in Durban, South Africa
METHODS:
A Retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing outcomes data for 820 pregnant women within the MACE study, recruited at public-sector antenatal clinics in Durban, from 2012-2018. MODIS satellite LST for the period of study was linked to each participant’s residence using GPS coordinates, and to individual pregnancy timelines based on dates of conception and delivery. Regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between exposure and outcomes during different gestational periods. Models were adjusted for maternal age, socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol-consumption, gestational age, and maternal co-morbidities.
RESULTS:
Average LST ranged from 25-32 degrees Celsius over the entire pregnancy period, with a mean of 28.7. Significant associations were observed between average LST and mean birthweight; for every 1 degree increase in LST over the entire pregnancy, there was decrease in birthweight by 33g (95% CI: -54.70,-11.45; p=0.003), and 29% increased odds ratio of LBW (OR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.08,1.53; p=0.004). Second trimester showed birthweight reduction by 11g for every 1 degree increase in LST (95% CI: -19.8,-2.65; p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:
Increased average LST over the entire pregnancy and during the second trimester was associated with decreased birthweight and higher ORs for LBW, in this sample of pregnant women from low socioeconomic communities. This signifies the relationship between pervasive thermal exposure and adverse birth outcomes, evidencing climate impacts on vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for inclusive and gender-sensitive adaptation.
Climate change has resulted in increasing temperatures worldwide(1). Associations between thermal exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes have been found(2-5). Few studies on this topic have been conducted among pregnant women living in low socioeconomic communities(6). This study aims to investigate land surface temperature (LST) at different time points in pregnancy and its impact on birth outcomes within the Mother and Child in the Environment (MACE) birth cohort in Durban, South Africa
METHODS:
A Retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing outcomes data for 820 pregnant women within the MACE study, recruited at public-sector antenatal clinics in Durban, from 2012-2018. MODIS satellite LST for the period of study was linked to each participant’s residence using GPS coordinates, and to individual pregnancy timelines based on dates of conception and delivery. Regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between exposure and outcomes during different gestational periods. Models were adjusted for maternal age, socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol-consumption, gestational age, and maternal co-morbidities.
RESULTS:
Average LST ranged from 25-32 degrees Celsius over the entire pregnancy period, with a mean of 28.7. Significant associations were observed between average LST and mean birthweight; for every 1 degree increase in LST over the entire pregnancy, there was decrease in birthweight by 33g (95% CI: -54.70,-11.45; p=0.003), and 29% increased odds ratio of LBW (OR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.08,1.53; p=0.004). Second trimester showed birthweight reduction by 11g for every 1 degree increase in LST (95% CI: -19.8,-2.65; p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:
Increased average LST over the entire pregnancy and during the second trimester was associated with decreased birthweight and higher ORs for LBW, in this sample of pregnant women from low socioeconomic communities. This signifies the relationship between pervasive thermal exposure and adverse birth outcomes, evidencing climate impacts on vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for inclusive and gender-sensitive adaptation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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