New Delhi, More than four percent of newborn deaths are linked to high and low temperatures, driven by climate change, according to research analyzing 29 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Of the four percent, on average, 1.5 percent of annual newborn deaths in these countries were related to extreme heat, while almost three percent were related to extreme cold, said researchers who studied the data between 2001 and 2019.
Furthermore, 32 per cent of all heat-related deaths of newborn babies during the period 2001-2019, accounting for over 1.75 lakh deaths, were attributed to climate change, an international team of researchers estimated, including those of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact. Research (PIK), Germany.
Climate change was also found to be responsible for reducing the risk of low temperature-related newborn deaths by more than 30 per cent, accounting for 4.57 lakh fewer newborn deaths. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
Across the 29 countries studied, annual temperatures on average rose 0.9 degrees Celsius during 2001-2019, which the authors attributed to climate change.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most pronounced effects of global warming on newborn deaths related to extreme temperatures, the authors said.
Four countries were estimated to have the highest overall neonatal mortality rates: Pakistan, Mali, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
These countries also recorded the highest rates of temperature-related newborn deaths, at more than 160 per lakh live births, the researchers found. Data on more than 40,000 newborn deaths were taken from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
Newborn babies are known to have immature temperature regulation abilities, which is further complicated by their high metabolism and low sweat rates, so they do not dissipate heat enough.
Previous studies have estimated that in 2019 there were 24 lakh newborn deaths, accounting for almost half (47 per cent) of all deaths of children under five years of age. It found that more than 90 percent of all newborn deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Of the four percent, on average, 1.5 percent of annual newborn deaths in these countries were related to extreme heat, while almost three percent were related to extreme cold, said researchers who studied the data between 2001 and 2019.
Furthermore, 32 per cent of all heat-related deaths of newborn babies during the period 2001-2019, accounting for over 1.75 lakh deaths, were attributed to climate change, an international team of researchers estimated, including those of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact. Research (PIK), Germany.
Climate change was also found to be responsible for reducing the risk of low temperature-related newborn deaths by more than 30 per cent, accounting for 4.57 lakh fewer newborn deaths. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
Across the 29 countries studied, annual temperatures on average rose 0.9 degrees Celsius during 2001-2019, which the authors attributed to climate change.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa experienced the most pronounced effects of global warming on newborn deaths related to extreme temperatures, the authors said.
Four countries were estimated to have the highest overall neonatal mortality rates: Pakistan, Mali, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
These countries also recorded the highest rates of temperature-related newborn deaths, at more than 160 per lakh live births, the researchers found. Data on more than 40,000 newborn deaths were taken from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
Newborn babies are known to have immature temperature regulation abilities, which is further complicated by their high metabolism and low sweat rates, so they do not dissipate heat enough.
Previous studies have estimated that in 2019 there were 24 lakh newborn deaths, accounting for almost half (47 per cent) of all deaths of children under five years of age. It found that more than 90 percent of all newborn deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
