Temperature exposure and child neurodevelopment in three European birth cohorts

In the past years, climate change has contributed to changes in average ambient temperature and increases in extreme weather events1,2. With the rate at which temperature is increasing, global warming will most likely reach 1.5 °C between 2030 and 20521. Populations living in urban environments are particularly at risk of temperature exposure due to urban heat islands, where heat diffusion is slower and heat accumulation is increased3.
In the past decade, epidemiological studies have evaluated the associations between exposure to temperature and various human health outcomes, many focused on mortality and morbidity5-7. Further, studies have linked temperature exposure to impaired brain and cognitive function, associating it with adverse health outcomes like cognitive impairment, aggressive behaviour, and sleep disturbances4,8-11. Biological mechanisms have been suggested including impaired thermoregulation, however these mechanisms remain uncertain, and more evidence is necessary9,10. Current literature either mainly focuses on adolescents and adults, studies whereas few studies assess children as a vulnerable population. Also, current studies mainly have small sample sizes or are experimental in design. More epidemiological studies are needed that evaluate the association between temperature exposure and developmental outcomes in children.
Since temperature varies spatiotemporally, it is important to evaluate how the impact of exposure on the developing child is influenced by the intensity, duration, and lag time using appropriate statistical models3,12. With temperatures only projected to increase in the upcoming years, it is important to conduct epidemiological studies in vulnerable groups such as children to identify susceptibility windows and clarify how temperature affects their development using an accurate spatiotemporal exposure model. These projects therefore aim to assess the association between ambient temperature exposure and:
1) Sleep in children from three European birth cohorts.
2) Internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems in children from three European birth cohorts.
3) Cognition in children from three European birth cohorts.