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A population-based case-control study of extreme summer temperature and birth defects
Alissa R Van Zutphen1, Shao Lin, Barbara A Fletcher
1Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12237, USA. arc05@health.state.ny.us
Environmental Health Perspectives
|October 4, 2012
Summary
High summer temperatures are linked to birth defects, particularly congenital cataracts. This study highlights the vulnerability of pregnancies to extreme heat, emphasizing the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Teratology
Background:
- Maternal fever and hyperthermia are known teratogens in animals.
- Human studies link maternal fever to birth defects, but data on environmental heat exposure is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between extreme summer temperatures and birth defect occurrence.
- To assess pregnancy vulnerability to climate change-related weather extremes.
Main Methods:
- Population-based case-control study (1992-2006) using New York State registries.
- Linked congenital malformation cases (6,422) with controls (59,328) from live births.
- Utilized Universal Apparent Temperature (UAT) data during embryogenesis, controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- A 5°F increase in mean daily minimum UAT correlated with higher odds of congenital cataracts (aOR=1.51).
- Congenital cataracts showed significant associations with various heat indicators (heat waves, days above 90th percentile).
- Inconsistent associations were found for renal agenesis/hypoplasia, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, and gastroschisis.
Conclusions:
- Consistent associations observed between heat indicators and congenital cataracts during critical developmental windows.
- Findings suggest a need for confirmation using additional data sources.
- Highlights potential risks of extreme heat exposure during pregnancy.
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