Alarming Climate Change Threatens Maternal and Newborn Health in Pakistan
Climate change maternal health Pakistan concerns are growing as a new international study reveals that rising temperatures are increasing the risk of low birth weight and newborn complications across the country.
Climate change maternal health Pakistan is becoming one of the country’s most urgent public health concerns, as rising temperatures continue to expose pregnant women and newborns to severe health risks.
A new international study has warned that extreme heat in Pakistan is contributing to an increase in low birth weight among newborns, especially in vulnerable districts already struggling with poverty, poor healthcare access, malnutrition, and environmental stress.
The study comes at a time when Pakistan is facing frequent heatwaves, prolonged dry spells, worsening air pollution, and rising temperatures in many parts of the country.
International Study Raises Alarm
The research was carried out by scientists from University of Canberra, Adelaide University, Aga Khan University, Flinders University, and partner institutions in Canada.
Researchers examined data from more than 85,000 mothers and infants across Pakistan between 2008 and 2017. The findings revealed that women exposed to high temperatures during pregnancy were much more likely to give birth to babies weighing less than 2.5 kilograms. About 18 percent of infants included in the study were classified as having low birth weight. (PubMed)
The study estimated that up to 13 percent of low birth weight cases in Pakistan could be directly linked to high temperatures. Researchers also warned that the burden could increase significantly by the 2060s if global warming continues unchecked. (PubMed)
Rising Temperatures and Pregnancy Risks
Pakistan has experienced severe heatwaves in recent years, particularly in southern Punjab, northern Sindh, and Balochistan, where summer temperatures often rise to 47–48°C.
These extreme weather conditions can affect pregnant women in several ways, including:
- Dehydration
- Heat stress
- High blood pressure
- Poor nutrition
- Increased risk of premature birth
- Greater likelihood of low birth weight
- Reduced fetal growth
The research found that women living in urban areas, women exposed to hazardous air pollution, and women with lower levels of education were at greater risk of delivering low birth weight babies. (PMC)
The World Health Organization has also warned that climate-related hazards can lead to complications such as preterm birth, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, and neonatal mortality. (World Health Organization)
Most Vulnerable Regions in Pakistan
The study identified southern Punjab, northern Sindh, and Balochistan as the regions facing the highest climate-related maternal and newborn health risks.
Districts in these regions were found to have:
- Higher average temperatures
- Poor healthcare access
- Higher poverty rates
- Poor indoor housing conditions
- Limited clean water access
- Greater exposure to air pollution
Researchers created a heat vulnerability index to identify which districts are most at risk from rising temperatures and worsening climate conditions. This index can help the government prioritize maternal healthcare interventions in the areas that need them the most. (The Aga Khan University)
Historically hot areas such as Turbat and Mohenjo Daro are among the places where extreme heat poses serious risks for pregnant women.
Why Low Birth Weight Matters
Low birth weight is already a major health challenge in Pakistan. Babies born under 2.5 kilograms are more likely to face:
- Higher risk of neonatal death
- Weak immune systems
- Malnutrition
- Developmental delays
- Breathing difficulties
- Long-term health problems
Researchers estimated that there were more than 1.24 million heat-related low birth weight cases during the study period. The study also projected that climate-related low birth weight cases could rise by more than 8 to 10 percent by the 2060s under severe warming scenarios. (The Aga Khan University)
Medical experts warn that without urgent intervention, Pakistan could face an even greater burden on its already stretched maternal and child healthcare systems.
Experts Call for Urgent Action
Associate Professor Zohra Lassi said that rising temperatures could worsen an already serious public health issue in Pakistan.
Lead researcher Syeda Hira Fatima explained that heat risks are made worse by poverty, poor air quality, weak healthcare systems, and maternal undernutrition. (PubMed)
Experts have called for the following urgent measures:
- Public awareness campaigns for pregnant women during heatwaves
- Cooling spaces for vulnerable mothers
- Better access to antenatal care
- Improved emergency health services during extreme weather
- Stronger climate-sensitive maternal health policies
- Better nutrition support for pregnant women
- Reliable access to clean water
They also urged authorities to include pregnant women as a priority group in national heat action plans.
Long-Term Climate and Health Solutions
Health experts believe that Pakistan must adopt long-term strategies to protect mothers and newborns from worsening climate threats.
These measures include:
- Investing in climate-resilient hospitals and clinics
- Improving housing conditions to reduce indoor heat exposure
- Expanding access to clean water and sanitation
- Increasing tree plantation and reducing deforestation
- Strengthening nutrition programs for women
- Improving weather warning systems
- Integrating climate risks into routine maternal healthcare
Pakistan is already considered one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. A separate review by Aga Khan University found that floods, food insecurity, poor nutrition, and extreme weather are increasingly affecting maternal health, particularly in rural and low-income communities. (The Aga Khan University)
Conclusion
The growing link between climate change and maternal health is a serious warning for Pakistan. Rising temperatures are no longer only an environmental issue — they are becoming a major public health challenge affecting pregnant women, newborns, and future generations.
Without immediate action, the number of low birth weight cases and pregnancy-related complications is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades.
Pakistan must strengthen its maternal healthcare system, improve climate resilience, and prioritize vulnerable communities to protect mothers and newborns from the dangerous impacts of extreme heat.
