New Delhi, October 6: Extreme heat is emerging as a growing health concern for pregnant women, unborn babies and newborns, with healthcare professionals in several countries reporting an increase in heat related complications.
A new international survey commissioned by Wellcome found that health workers are seeing greater effects from extreme heat on pregnancy and newborn health. The survey covered 1,000 healthcare professionals across India, Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
The findings showed that 73 per cent of respondents had observed an increase in heat-related cases or complications affecting pregnant women over the previous five years. A further 76 per cent reported a rise in heat-related effects involving fetuses or newborn babies.
The concern was not limited to occasional exposure. Almost all respondents said they had personally treated a pregnant woman or baby whose health they believed had been affected by extreme heat.
India was one of the five countries included in the survey, with 200 healthcare professionals participating. The respondents included obstetricians, gynaecologists, doctors, nurses, midwives and other frontline workers involved in pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal and newborn care.
The survey points to the growing importance of climate-related risks in maternal and child healthcare. Pregnancy can alter the body’s ability to regulate temperature, while newborn babies are also particularly vulnerable to environmental conditions.
Research cited in connection with the findings has linked heat exposure during pregnancy with several adverse outcomes. In India, studies have associated high temperatures with increased risks of miscarriage and stillbirth as well as preterm birth, low birth weight and other maternal complications.
The available evidence indicates that even relatively small increases in temperature can influence pregnancy outcomes. One research finding cited in the survey suggests that a 1-degree Celsius rise in temperature is associated with a 5 per cent increase in the odds of preterm birth. Heatwaves have also been associated with a rise in obstetric risks.
The impact of extreme temperatures can extend beyond the direct physiological effects of heat. Pregnant women may face difficulties reaching healthcare facilities during severe weather, particularly where transport systems are disrupted or outdoor travel becomes unsafe.
Healthcare workers participating in the survey also pointed to an increase in emergency cases connected with extreme heat.
These concerns are particularly relevant in countries where high temperatures and prolonged heatwaves are becoming more frequent. Climate change is increasing pressure on healthcare systems to prepare for weather-related health emergencies while continuing to provide routine maternal and newborn services.
The survey found that 81 per cent of healthcare professionals were concerned about the increasing risks to pregnant women and babies associated with climate change.
However, the findings also identified gaps in preparedness. As many as 92 per cent of respondents said they wanted additional training, while 55 per cent called for clearer guidance on dealing with heat-related health risks affecting mothers and newborns.
The findings suggest that medical preparedness needs to extend beyond treating patients after heat-related complications occur. Healthcare systems may also need stronger prevention strategies that help vulnerable groups avoid dangerous exposure in the first place.
For pregnant women, preventive measures can include reducing exposure to extreme heat, staying hydrated, ensuring access to cool environments and seeking medical attention when warning signs develop. However, public health experts stress that individual precautions need to be supported by wider healthcare and climate adaptation measures.
Hospitals and maternity centres may also need plans for periods of extreme heat. Such planning can involve ensuring reliable cooling systems, protecting vulnerable patients, maintaining water availability and preparing staff to recognise symptoms associated with heat stress.
The issue is particularly significant because maternal healthcare already involves a range of time-sensitive services. Heat-related illness can add another layer of risk to pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.
The international survey also highlights the importance of including maternal and newborn health in climate policies. Climate adaptation programmes often focus on heat-related deaths, infectious diseases, food security or water availability, but pregnancy-related risks require specific attention because of the health consequences for both mothers and children.
The findings come as global health organisations continue to place greater emphasis on climate resilience. The World Health Organization is participating in the Pacific Pre-COP31 discussions in Fiji from October 5 to 8, focusing on ensuring that health considerations are incorporated into climate action.
WHO has also recently issued guidance aimed at preventing heat-related illness during mass gatherings, reflecting the wider concern over how rising temperatures can affect public health.
For India, the issue has particular relevance because several regions regularly experience periods of high temperatures. Protecting pregnant women and newborns during such periods requires coordination between healthcare providers, local authorities and communities.
Doctors and nurses can play an important role by identifying high-risk patients and providing families with practical guidance. At the same time, public health systems need reliable early-warning mechanisms and clear protocols for periods of severe heat.
The survey’s findings also point towards a need for stronger climate-health education among medical professionals. While frontline healthcare workers are already encountering heat-related complications, many believe they require additional training to respond effectively.
The reported preparedness gap is significant because the effects of extreme heat can occur alongside existing pregnancy complications. Recognising heat exposure as a potential contributing factor can help healthcare workers identify risks earlier and provide appropriate advice.
The concern extends to newborn care as well. Babies have limited ability to regulate body temperature and can be vulnerable to dehydration and overheating. Maintaining safe temperatures and ensuring adequate feeding and hydration are therefore important during periods of extreme heat.
The latest findings underline that climate change is not simply an environmental issue but increasingly a healthcare challenge. Rising temperatures can influence health outcomes across different stages of life, with pregnant women, fetuses and newborns among the groups requiring particular protection.
With healthcare professionals reporting increasing heat-related complications, the survey has renewed calls for stronger climate-resilient healthcare systems. Better training, clearer clinical guidance and improved preparedness could help reduce the risks faced by mothers and babies as extreme heat becomes a more frequent public health concern.