Mumbai: Climate change caused by human activity led to an estimated 8,830 additional preterm births in India during the April 2024 heatwave, according to a new analysis.Climate change made the heatwave at least 45 times more likely, the analysis by international non-profit research group Zero Carbon Analytics found.Across India, Bangladesh and the Philippines, climate change was linked to 10,600 additional preterm births in April 2024. However, the overall heatwave was associated with around 16,150 more preterm births than would have occurred during a typical April in recent decades. India saw a 3.6% increase, compared with 11.9% in Bangladesh and 10% in the Philippines.Preterm birth – when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation – is the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. Premature babies also face a higher risk of long-term health and developmental problems.Doctors say extreme heat puts the pregnant body under stress. “Any extreme climatic condition can affect pregnant women. Due to extreme heat, they could suffer from dehydration or suffer stress that releases hormones that could predispose them to preterm labour,’’ said Arun Nayak, who heads the gynaecology department of BMC-run Sion Hospital. Western studies have shown that the risks are particularly high during the third trimester.Bhagwan Keshbhat of NGO Waatavaran told TOI that pregnancy-related problems increase during heatwaves. Women had also reported such difficulties during community discussions organised by the NGO in rural Maharashtra.The latest analysis found that within India, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand accounted for around two-thirds of the additional preterm births linked to the heatwave.The burden could grow with rising temperatures. By mid-century, India could see more than 15,000 additional preterm births during a typical April due to heat, exceeding the estimated burden during April 2024. Uttar Pradesh is projected to face the highest burden, followed by Bihar and Rajasthan.South Asia has the world’s highest preterm birth rate, at 13.2% in 2020. Bangladesh had the highest national rate at 16.2%, followed by India at 13%. The rate in the Philippines was 7.7%.
