Can Flooding Increase the Risk of Preterm Births? Study Sheds Light - Video

A new analysis of more than 3,000 studies from around the world reveals that globally, flooding increases preterm births by about 3%. Children who were in utero during a flood event are also more likely to have a low birth weight. Both these outcomes are risk factors for developing chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes later in life. The findings were presented at AGU's 2024 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Researchers analyzed findings from 3,177 studies that collected data on pregnancy length and birth weight and flooding from the 1800s to the present. Data varied widely between floods and regions: While some researchers found no impact from flooding on pregnancy, others found compelling evidence that flooding increased the risk for complications during pregnancy and birth.

Altogether, the researchers found that any given flood increases the pre-term birth rate by around 3%, compared to an unflooded region. Around 7% more children who were in utero during a flood event were born with a low birth weight.

Stress can induce early labor. Early births might also increase during floods because people are unable to get to healthcare in time to avoid going into labor. Pre-term birth can be halted if someone has access to healthcare services, but flooded or damaged roads might prevent them from getting there in time.

Because flooding can imperil people's access to food, either by destroying crops or blocking access to food supplies, people who are pregnant during flooding might be more likely to give birth to smaller babies.

Pre-term birth and low birth weights don't guarantee that a baby will develop neurological issues, obesity or diabetes later in life. But they do increase the risk.

Reference: https://news.agu.org/press-release/flooding-preterm-births-pregnancy-complications/