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. 2013 Dec 20;11(1):91-172.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph110100091.

Associations of meteorology with adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review of preeclampsia, preterm birth and birth weight

Alyssa J Beltran, Jun Wu  1 , Olivier Laurent
Affiliations

Associations of meteorology with adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review of preeclampsia, preterm birth and birth weight

Alyssa J Beltran et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The relationships between meteorology and pregnancy outcomes are not well known. This article reviews available evidence on the relationships between seasonality or meteorology and three major pregnancy outcomes: the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including preeclampsia, eclampsia and gestational hypertension), gestational length and birth weight. In total 35, 28 and 27 studies were identified for each of these outcomes. The risks of preeclampsia appear higher for women with conception during the warmest months, and delivery in the coldest months of the year. Delivery in the coldest months is also associated with a higher eclampsia risk. Patterns of decreased gestational lengths have been observed for births in winter, as well as summer months. Most analytical studies also report decreases in gestational lengths associated with heat. Birth weights are lower for deliveries occurring in winter and in summer months. Only a limited number of studies have investigated the effects of barometric pressure on gestational length or the effects of temperature and sunshine exposure on birth weight, but these questions appear worth investigating further. Available results should encourage further etiological research aiming at enhancing our understanding of the relationships between meteorology and adverse pregnancy outcomes, ideally via harmonized multicentric studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pooled relative risks and 95% credible interval for the variation in preeclampsia incidence by month of conception (N = 530,160 births).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pooled relative risks and 95% credible interval for the variation in preeclampsia incidence by month of birth (N = 2,552,887 births).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pooled relative risks and 95% credible interval for the variation in eclampsia incidence by month of birth (N = 550,881 births).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pooled relative risks and 95% credible interval for the variation in preterm birth incidence by month of birth (N = 63,227,292 births).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Pooled change in mean birth weight (and 95% credible interval) by month of birth in term born infants (N = 5,398,360 births).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Pooled change in mean birth weight (and 95% credible interval) by month of birth in all infants (N = 70,652,872 births).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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