The Influence of Heat on Pediatric and Perinatal Health: Risks, Evidence, and Future Directions
Nicola Principi, Beatrice Rita Campana, Alberto Argentiero, Valentina Fainardi, Susanna Esposito
Abstract
Children, particularly infants and those with chronic conditions, are highly vulnerable to heat-induced health risks, similarly to the elderly. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the impact of heat exposure on pediatric and perinatal health. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and manual reference checks, focusing on studies from 2000 to 2024. Findings indicate that maternal heat exposure is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and increased hospital admissions. Additionally, prenatal heat stress correlates with preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and stillbirth. In childhood, heat-related health consequences range from heatstroke and dehydration to renal impairment, respiratory diseases, and gastrointestinal infections. Psychosocial effects, including cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues, have also been reported in school-age children and adolescents. Despite strong epidemiological evidence, critical knowledge gaps remain, including the exact temperature thresholds that increase disease risk and how these thresholds vary by age and underlying health conditions. Urgent public health measures are required to mitigate these risks, while further research is needed to define exposure-response relationships and effective interventions. Addressing the rising burden of heat-related pediatric illness is essential in the context of climate change and increasing global temperatures.