IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 4910: Impacts of High Environmental Temperatures on Congenital Anomalies: A Systematic Review

IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 4910: Impacts of High Environmental Temperatures on Congenital Anomalies: A Systematic Review International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph18094910 Authors: Marjan Haghighi Caradee Wright Julian Ayer Michael Urban Minh Pham Melanie Boeckmann Ashtyn Areal Bianca Wernecke Callum Swift Matthew Robinson Robyn Hetem Matthew Chersich Climate Change and Heat-Health Study Group Links between heat exposure and congenital anomalies have not been explored in detail despite animal data and other strands of evidence that indicate such links are likely. We reviewed articles on heat and congenital anomalies from PubMed and Web of Science, screening 14,880 titles and abstracts in duplicate for articles on environmental heat exposure during pregnancy and congenital anomalies. Thirteen studies were included. Most studies were in North America (8) or the Middle East (3). Methodological diversity was considerable, including in temperature measurement, gestational windows of exposure, and range of defects studied. Associations were detected between heat exposure and congenital cardiac anomalies in three of six studies, with point estimates highest for atrial septal defects. Two studies with null findings used self-reported temperature exposures. Hypospadias, congenital cataracts, renal agenesis/hypoplasia, spina bifida, and craniofacial defects were also linked with heat exposure. Effects generally inc...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research