Vulnerability of Newborns to Environmental Factors: Findings from Community Based Surveillance Data in Bangladesh

2011

Vulnerability of Newborns to Environmental Factors in Bangladesh

Sample size: 12836 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mannan Ishtiaq, Choi Yoonjoung, Coutinho Anastasia J., Chowdhury Atique I., Rahman Syed Moshfiqur, Seraji Habib R., Bari Sanwarul, Shah Rasheduzzaman, Winch Peter J., El Arifeen Shams, Darmstadt Gary L., Baqui Abdullah H.

Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Hypothesis

This study aimed to assess the association of serious newborn illness in the community with environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity.

Conclusion

The study found that higher temperatures and humidity levels are associated with increased incidence of very severe disease in newborns.

Supporting Evidence

The incidence of very severe disease was associated with higher temperatures.
Higher humidity levels also correlated with increased odds of very severe disease.
Specific months showed significantly higher odds of incidence of very severe disease.

Takeaway

Newborns in rural Bangladesh can get very sick when it's hot and humid outside, especially during certain months of the year.

Methodology

The study used community-based surveillance data from two trials, assessing newborns with a sign-based algorithm and collecting environmental data from meteorological stations.