Research on preadolescents shows that early life exposure to extreme temperatures may alter brain development, especially in underprivileged areas. This significant finding highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to shield vulnerable children from climate impacts. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
Research highlights the susceptibility of fetuses and children to temperature extremes and underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable communities from climate change impacts.
Brain scans from over 2,000 preadolescents indicate that exposure to extreme heat and cold during early life could have enduring impacts on the brain’s white matter microstructure, particularly in children residing in less affluent neighborhoods. Published in DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02027-w