WHO Warns of Increased Preterm Births During Hot Weather

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a report published today, Wednesday, of a significant increase in the risk of preterm birth when pregnant women are exposed to heatwaves.

The report cited a 2024 study published in the journal Nature, which concluded that the risk of preterm birth could rise by up to 26%.

In 2024, infants under one year of age were exposed to heatwave days numbering approximately five times more than those experienced by children born between 1986 and 2005.

The report stated: “Around 1.5 billion children worldwide are exposed to heatwaves that are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, or more intense.”

According to the WHO’s general recommendations, pregnant women should drink plenty of fluids during hot weather, cool their necks and feet with damp cloths as needed, and schedule activities during the cooler parts of the day whenever possible.

The report noted that health authorities should develop early warning plans and make greater efforts to raise public awareness of the risks among families. They should also prepare to provide care for a larger number of pregnant women and infants as the number of days with extremely high temperatures increases.

The WHO clarified that achieving this requires collecting more data worldwide, enabling authorities to identify emerging risks and monitor their escalation accurately.