Volume 9, Issue 10, October – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24OCT1214

The Impact of Climate Change on Maternal and Fetal

Health: An Emerging Crisis
1. 2.
Dr. Kavitha Lakshmi Easwaran, Dr. Swetha MP
Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Lead Consultant, Department of Obstetrician and
Gynaecology, Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Gynaecology, Ovum Woman and Child Speciality
Hospital, Bangalore. Hospital, Bangalore.
3. 4.
Dr. M. Vijaya Bharathi Dr. Venugopal Reddy.I
Consultant, Department of Obstetrician and Medical Director and Paediatrician, Department of
Gynaecology, Ovum Woman and Child Speciality Paediatrics, Ovum Woman and Child Speciality
Hospital, Bangalore. Hospital, Bangalore. (Corresponding Author)

Abstract:- The health risks posed by climate change have This article explores how climate change and its
extended into maternal and fetal health, with evidence associated environmental disruptions are contributing to
linking changing environmental factors to a rise in adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes, with a focus on
conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension post-viral intrauterine infections, travel-related risks during
(PIH), cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), and pregnancy, and the unique vulnerabilities faced by certain
physiological jaundice, particularly in winter months. populations, including African women who have a higher
Additionally, post-viral infections and intrauterine incidence of postpartum cardiomyopathy.
infections have become more prominent in the post-
COVID era, contributing to an increased risk of A. Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Cerebral Venous
congenital anomalies, preterm labor, and intrauterine Thrombosis in Winter
growth restriction (IUGR). The article also highlights the
higher incidence of postpartum cardiomyopathy in  Seasonal Variations in PIH and CVT
African women and the challenges posed by long-distance Recent studies have shown that the incidence of
travel during pregnancy. This article examines these pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and cerebral venous
trends and calls for more targeted research and thrombosis (CVT) tends to rise during the winter months.
interventions to mitigate these risks. Cold temperatures are associated with increased
vasoconstriction, which may contribute to elevated blood
Keywords:- Climate Change, Pregnancy-Induced pressure in pregnant women. A study by Smith et al. (2020)
Hypertension, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Postpartum demonstrated a higher incidence of PIH in colder months,
Cardiomyopathy, Maternal Health, Fetal Health, Congenital with a 15% increase in cases during winter as compared to
Anomalies. summer. Similarly, Rajput et al. (2019) found that CVT, a
rare but serious condition that affects cerebral venous
I. INTRODUCTION circulation, was more commonly diagnosed in pregnant
women during the winter season, possibly due to increased
Climate change has far-reaching consequences for hypercoagulability in response to colder temperatures.
global health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as
pregnant women and their developing fetuses. Seasonal  Physiological Jaundice and Climate
variations, extreme weather events, and environmental Physiological jaundice is also noted to occur more
disruptions have been linked to an increasing prevalence of frequently in neonates born during the winter months. Gupta
pregnancy-related complications. Conditions like pregnancy- et al. (2021) suggested that reduced sunlight exposure in
induced hypertension (PIH), cerebral venous thrombosis colder months contributes to slower bilirubin metabolism,
(CVT), physiological jaundice, and intrauterine growth leading to a higher incidence of neonatal jaundice. Moreover,
restriction (IUGR) have all been noted to increase during cold weather may influence feeding patterns, reducing
specific seasons, especially winter. Additionally, the post- breastfeeding frequency, which is critical for promoting
COVID era has introduced new concerns related to viral bilirubin clearance in newborns.
infections during pregnancy and their long-term impacts on
fetal health.

IJISRT24OCT1214 www.ijisrt.com 1781

Volume 9, Issue 10, October – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24OCT1214

B. Post-Viral Infections, Congenital Anomalies, and IUGR E. The Impact of Long-Distance Travel on Pregnancy
in the Post-COVID Era Long-distance travel, particularly international travel,
poses additional risks for pregnant women. Exposure to new
 The Impact of Post-Viral Intrauterine Infections climates, changes in diet, and increased physical stress during
The post-COVID era has seen an increase in the travel can all have adverse effects on maternal and fetal
incidence of congenital anomalies, preterm labor, and health. Kramer et al. (2020) highlighted the increased risk of
intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), largely due to the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long flights, particularly
heightened prevalence of viral infections during pregnancy. in pregnant women. Additionally, exposure to infections in
The TORCH group of infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, unfamiliar environments, as well as the stress and strain of
cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex) has long been travel, can exacerbate conditions like PIH and IUGR.
associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However,
COVID-19 and other viral pathogens have introduced new In regions where climate extremes are common, such as
risks. According to Brown et al. (2021), there is growing during hot summers or cold winters, travel can further stress
evidence that post-viral infections contribute to fetal the maternal cardiovascular system, increasing the risk for
malformations, particularly when infections occur during the complications such as preeclampsia. Dizon-Townson et al.
first trimester. (2019) emphasized the importance of adequate hydration,
movement, and rest during travel to mitigate these risks.
 Increased Risk of Preterm Labor and IUGR Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers for
Intrauterine infections compromise placental function, personalized travel advice, particularly in the context of
resulting in decreased blood flow between the mother and climate-related stressors.
fetus, which can lead to IUGR and preterm labor. Walker et
al. (2022) found that women who experienced viral infections F. Infections, Placental Blood Flow, and PIH
during pregnancy were 25% more likely to deliver preterm Infections during pregnancy can affect implantation and
and had a 20% increased risk of IUGR compared to non- the development of the placenta, leading to compromised
infected pregnancies. In the context of the post-COVID era, blood flow between the mother and fetus. This disruption in
it is imperative to monitor the long-term effects of such placental function has been linked to an increased risk of PIH
infections on fetal development and to ensure timely and IUGR. McGinnis et al. (2021) found that intrauterine
interventions. infections, such as cytomegalovirus and other viral agents,
impair placental development, leading to endothelial
C. Postpartum Cardiomyopathy in African Women: The Role dysfunction and elevated maternal blood pressure.
of Climate and Postpartum Practices
Postpartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon but life- Post-infection inflammation further exacerbates these
threatening condition that disproportionately affects African issues, leading to a higher incidence of adverse outcomes.
women. Miller et al. (2018) postulated that climatic factors, Pregnant women exposed to environmental stressors,
such as high temperatures, combined with certain cultural including pollution and infectious pathogens, are at greater
postpartum practices, may exacerbate the condition. In many risk for these complications. Chen et al. (2022) recommend
African countries, postpartum women adhere to traditional more vigilant monitoring and early intervention in
practices that may include reduced physical activity, specific pregnancies affected by infection, especially in areas
dietary restrictions, and limited access to medical care, all of experiencing climate-driven changes in infection patterns.
which can contribute to poorer outcomes. The relationship
between climate, particularly heat exposure, and II. CONCLUSION
cardiovascular stress during the postpartum period warrants
further investigation, as highlighted by Ndungu et al. (2020). The relationship between climate change and maternal
and fetal health is complex and multifaceted. Seasonal
D. Thalassemia Trait and Regional Variations in Climate variations, environmental stressors, and the increasing
Thalassemia trait, a genetic condition affecting prevalence of viral infections in the post-COVID era have
hemoglobin production, is found in higher incidences in contributed to a rise in complications such as pregnancy-
certain regions, such as Northeastern India. This geographic induced hypertension, cerebral venous thrombosis, IUGR,
clustering may be linked to historical environmental and and congenital anomalies. African women, particularly those
climatic factors that have influenced genetic drift in these exposed to extreme climates and cultural postpartum
populations. Chakraborty et al. (2019) noted that areas with practices, are at a heightened risk for postpartum
endemic malaria, a disease influenced by climate, have higher cardiomyopathy. Additionally, the challenges posed by long-
rates of thalassemia due to the selective advantage conferred distance travel during pregnancy further highlight the
by the trait in resisting malaria. Climate change, by altering importance of understanding the environmental influences on
disease vectors and patterns of disease transmission, could maternal health.
influence the prevalence and distribution of genetic traits like
thalassemia in the future.

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Volume 9, Issue 10, October – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24OCT1214

Future research should focus on the long-term impacts [15]. Elnour, M. M., et al. (2021). Seasonality and pregnancy
of climate-related stressors on maternal and fetal health, as outcomes: A meta-analysis of PIH, IUGR, and preterm
well as targeted interventions to mitigate these risks. Global birth. Obstetric Medicine, 14(4), 210-217.
health initiatives must consider the unique vulnerabilities of [16]. Rabinowitz, M., et al. (2022). Postpartum
pregnant women in different climates and regions to ensure cardiomyopathy: Geographic and climatic influences on
that both mothers and their children are protected in an incidence and outcomes. International Journal of
increasingly unpredictable environment. Cardiology, 351, 114-122.
[17]. Kumar, A., et al. (2020). Infections and pregnancy
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