Climate change poses significant environmental challenges to neonatal health, particularly for preterm and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Rising temperatures, deteriorating air quality, and extreme weather events exacerbate risks, compromising physiological stability and long-term outcomes. This narrative review examines how environmental factors—air pollution, extreme temperatures, and humidity—impact neonatal health and NICU care practices. Air pollution, including particulate matter and ozone, increases respiratory complications, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, in vulnerable newborns. Extreme temperatures strain thermoregulatory systems, heightening risks of hypothermia or hyperthermia, especially in preterm infants with underdeveloped regulatory mechanisms. High humidity levels elevate infection risks by fostering microbial growth in NICU environments. The review also explores adaptive strategies to mitigate these challenges, including advanced air filtration systems to reduce pollutant exposure, optimized thermal regulation technologies to maintain stable infant temperatures, and eco-friendly NICU designs incorporating sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems.By synthesizing current evidence, this review underscores the urgent need for environmentally responsive strategies to safeguard neonatal health. Implementing these adaptations ensures NICUs remain safe havens for vulnerable newborns amid a warming planet, promoting resilience and improved health outcomes.
Rakesh Kotha (Thu,) studied this question.