Heat exposure was associated with preterm birth, with findings varying by timing
A meta-analysis found links between prenatal heat exposure and preterm birth; cold results were less consistent and depended on the exposure window.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Heat exposure was associated with higher preterm birth risk across several time windows before delivery. Cold exposure did not show a statistically clear increase in general, but exposure more than four weeks before delivery was linked to higher risk. The results describe associations and do not establish causation or a safe temperature threshold.
The abstract does not specify reference temperatures or provide absolute preterm birth rates. Exposure windows are defined relative to delivery, which does not by itself identify the stage of pregnancy when exposure occurred.
Timing was central
Researchers grouped estimates by temperature percentile and how far exposure occurred before delivery. Heat associations were reported for the preceding week and the preceding 1–4 weeks. The abstract also examined exposure further from delivery.
Interpreting the geographic patterns
The abstract highlights associations in subtropical regions and reports several subgroup estimates. These results do not establish that regional differences are caused by climate alone, or demonstrate that particular cooling or warning programs prevent preterm birth.
The original publication
Extreme temperature and preterm birth: Time windows and geographical disparities.
Ge MW, Du W, Shen LT et al.
Early Hum Dev · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41176877
- Record checked
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