IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE–INDUCED HEATWAVES ON MATERNAL AND NEONATAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN PAKISTAN: A MULTI-REGION EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of heatwaves, posing significant risks to maternal and neonatal health, particularly in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. This study examined the impact of climate change–induced heatwaves on maternal and neonatal health outcomes across multiple regions of Pakistan using a quantitative, retrospective epidemiological design. Secondary data were collected from hospital records, national health databases, and meteorological sources covering maternal and neonatal cases across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. A total of 23,300 cases (12,500 maternal and 10,800 neonatal records) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression techniques. The findings revealed that heatwave exposure was significantly associated with increased risks of adverse maternal outcomes, including preterm labor, gestational hypertension, and dehydration-related complications. Similarly, neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal mortality were significantly higher in high heatwave exposure regions. Sindh and Punjab exhibited the greatest vulnerability due to higher temperature extremes and population density. Regression analysis confirmed heatwave exposure as an independent predictor of adverse reproductive health outcomes, even after controlling for socioeconomic and healthcare access factors. The study concludes that climate change–induced heatwaves are a critical determinant of maternal and neonatal health risks in Pakistan, with pronounced regional disparities. The findings underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient maternal and child health policies, early warning systems, and targeted public health interventions in high-risk regions.