Climate change, endocrine disruptors and child health: The hidden paediatric emergency

Climate change and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) represent two converging global threats with profound implications for child health. Climate-driven environmental alterations – including rising temperatures, floods, wildfires, droughts and air pollution – are increasingly recognised as amplifiers of EDC exposure pathways. Children are uniquely vulnerable because of critical developmental windows during foetal life, infancy and puberty. Exposure to EDCs such as bisphenol A, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pesticides, dioxins and heavy metals has been associated with metabolic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, altered pubertal timing, reproductive abnormalities, neurodevelopmental disorders and epigenetic changes. Climate change acts as a “threat multiplier” by increasing chemical mobilisation, plastic degradation, food-chain contamination and toxic air pollutant release. This review summarises current evidence regarding the interaction between climate change and endocrine disruption in children, highlights clinical implications for paediatric practice, discusses public health and policy considerations and identifies future research priorities relevant to low- and middle-income countries, particularly India.