In Utero Heat Exposure and Infant Health in Brazil

Abstract

This study quantifies the cumulative effects of in-utero heat exposure on infant health outcomes in Brazil. We merge temperature data from weather stations with rich administrative microdata on live births and stillbirths registered in Brazil between 2005 and 2018. We find a negative and significant effect of heat waves on birth weight and the probability of full-term pregnancy for live births, indicating that heat waves induce earlier births. We further document significant gradients in these detrimental effects of extreme weather on neonatal health by maternal education, race, and age, and by municipality-level availability of primary care units aimed at providing care for mothers during pregnancy and at childbirth. We also observe a significant increase in stillbirths following a heat wave.

Keywords: Heat waves, Infant health outcomes, Stillbirths, Brazil, Climate change I12, J13, Q54

JEL Classification: I12, J13, Q54