The Effects of Climate Change on Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Health: An in-Depth Review

Abstract

The substantial elevation in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels is a consequence of human activities, resulting in a 1.1°C elevation in surface temperature as the worldwide average. The detrimental outcomes of this temperature rise encompass severe weather events, deterioration in food, water, and air quality, alongside an escalation in vector-borne infectious diseases and/or transmission risks. The mitigation and adaptation to climate change are pivotal factors for the survival of humanity in the midst of this existential crisis. Climate change exerts notable effects on maternal, fetal, and neonatal health, with women experiencing more adverse impacts compared to men. Pregnant women may face conditions such as hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia and eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), variations in pregnancy duration, and mental health disorders. Fetal and newborn health can be affected, leading to results like preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (<2500 grams), congenital anomalies (including atrial septum issues), early membrane rupture (EMR), underdeveloped immune systems, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and neonatal death. Effective interventions aimed at reducing heat-related risks should include health education on heat and heat increase risks for caregivers - other than parents - and clinicians responsible for childcare. Additionally, there is a need for improvements in cooling systems in healthcare facilities, fair enhancements in housing quality, and food systems. Focus should also be placed on nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Despite the growing attention to the influence of climate on human health, the risks associated with heat and other factors associated with climate for women, pregnant individuals, newborns, infants, and children are not sufficiently addressed. This review seeks to investigate the effects of climate change on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes related to health based on existing literature.

Keywords

• Climate change
• fetal health
• maternal health
• neonatal health

İklim Değişikliğinin Anne, Fetüs ve Yenidoğan Sağlığı Üzerindeki Etkileri: Kapsamlı Bir İnceleme

Öz

Atmosferdeki sera gazı seviyelerindeki önemli artış, insan faaliyetlerinin bir sonucudur ve yüzey sıcaklığında dünya ortalamasına göre 1,1°C'lik bir artışa yol açmaktadır. Bu sıcaklık artışının zararlı sonuçları arasında, şiddetli hava olayları, yiyecek, su ve hava kalitesinde bozulma, ayrıca vektör kaynaklı bulaşıcı hastalıklarda ve/veya bulaşma risklerinde artış yer almaktadır. İklim değişikliğinin azaltılması ve iklim değişikliğine uyum, bu varoluşsal krizin ortasında insanlığın hayatta kalması için çok önemli faktörlerdir. İklim değişikliği anne, fetüs ve yenidoğan sağlığı üzerinde kayda değer etkiler yaratmakta ve kadınlar erkeklere kıyasla daha fazla olumsuz etki yaşamaktadır. Gebe kadınlarda, preeklampsi ve eklampsi gibi hipertansif bozukluklar, gestasyonel diyabet (GDM), gebelik süresindeki değişiklikler ve zihinsel sağlık bozuklukları gibi durumlara neden olabilmektedir. Fetüs ve yenidoğan sağlığı ise erken doğum (<37 gebelik haftası), düşük doğum ağırlığı (<2500 gram), konjenital anomaliler (atriyal septum sorunları dahil), erken membran rüptürü (EMR), az gelişmiş bağışıklık sistemleri, intrauterin büyüme kısıtlaması (IUGR) ve neonatal ölüm.gibi sonuçlara yol açabilmektedir. Isıya bağlı riskleri azaltmayı amaçlayan etkili müdahaleler, ebeveyn dışındaki bakıcılar ve çocuk bakımından sorumlu klinisyenler için ısı ve ısı artışı riskleri konusu sağlık eğitimi kapsamına alınmalıdır. Ayrıca sağlık tesislerindeki soğutma sistemlerinde iyileştirmelere, konut kalitesinde ve gıda sistemlerinde iyileştirmelere ihtiyaç bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca beslenme ve yaşam tarzı danışmanlığına da odaklanılmalıdır. İklimin insan sağlığı üzerindeki etkisine artan ilgiye rağmen, kadınlar, hamileler, yeni doğanlar, bebekler ve çocuklar için sıcaklık ve iklimle ilişkili diğer faktörlerle ilişkili risklerin yeterince ele alınmadığı düşünülmektedir. Bu derleme, iklim değişikliğinin sağlıkla ilgili anne, fetus ve yenidoğan sonuçları üzerindeki etkilerini mevcut literatüre dayanarak araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• iklim değişikliği
• fetal sağlık
• anne sağlığı
• yenidoğan sağlığı

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