When climate disasters like powerful storm or intense heat waves strike, they don’t just damage cities and homes. They can also affect unborn babies. A new study shows that climate disasters like hurricanes and extreme heat may cause changes in babies’ brains before they are even born.
Climate Disasters Strike Before Birth
In 2012, a huge storm called Superstorm Sandy hit New York City. It flooded streets, knocked out power, and left millions in the dark. At the same time, New York was already suffering from scorching heat, with several heatwaves near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some women were pregnant during this difficult time. Scientists have now studied the children born to them.
Using brain scans, researchers found that these children showed differences in brain development. The changes were linked to the stress their mothers experienced from the storm and the heat. These changes may affect how children handle emotions as they grow up.
The Brain Grows Fast in the Womb
A baby’s brain grows the fastest before birth. In fact, more than one-third of an adult brain’s size forms while the baby is still in the womb. This time is very important. The brain builds connections and shapes how the baby might think, feel, and behave in the future.
Any stress during this period—even short-term—can have big effects. For pregnant women who lived through both Superstorm Sandy and the extreme heat, the effects on their babies’ brains were stronger. The study found that heat alone didn’t cause major changes. But when heat and disaster happened together, it created extra stress.
This added pressure may change parts of the brain that help control emotions. One part, called the basal ganglia, was larger in these children. While that might sound like a good thing, a bigger basal ganglia has been linked to emotional issues such as depression or difficulty with social behavior.
Danger Season Is Getting Worse
Summer is no longer just a time for sunshine and fun. Scientists now call it “danger season.” That’s because heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, and smoke often happen at the same time. These events create a perfect storm of stress, especially for people who are pregnant.
This study is the first to show how both heat and storms together can affect an unborn baby’s brain. Researchers looked at a group of 34 children, all around 8 years old. Their mothers were pregnant during Superstorm Sandy, and many were also exposed to temperatures of 95°F or higher.
Children who went through both heat and disaster in the womb had more brain changes than those who experienced just one. These changes were seen using MRI scans. Scientists say these scans give clear pictures of the brain’s structure and can help spot differences caused by stress.
Storm and Heatwaves Threats Impact Mothers and Babies
While it’s important to focus on the baby’s health, the mother’s well-being is just as vital. If a mother faces stress, especially during pregnancy, it can affect the baby’s brain growth. When mothers are anxious, lack support, or live through a disaster, their stress levels rise. That stress can pass to the unborn baby.
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The study shows how environmental stress—like big storms and extreme heat—can go beyond physical damage. It can shape how the next generation thinks and feels. Scientists believe that protecting mothers from stress during pregnancy is key to protecting their children’s mental and emotional health.
In the past, people only talked about whether a baby was born healthy. But now, more attention is being given to what happens later. Mental and emotional development matter just as much. And to support that, keeping the mother healthy and safe is crucial—especially during major climate events.
This research gives strong evidence that the climate crisis affects more than the environment. It touches families and can change lives before they even begin.
