Air Pollution, Climate Conditions Tied to Premature Births and Low Birth Weight in India: Study
A recent study analyzing India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019–21 has uncovered troubling links between air pollution, climate conditions, and adverse birth outcomes.
The findings reveal that 13% of children in India are born prematurely, while 17% are born with low birth weight, with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy identified as a major contributing factor.
Conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) Mumbai, and collaborators from the UK and Ireland, the study combines NFHS-5 data with remote sensing imagery to assess how environmental conditions affect maternal and newborn health.
Significant Risk from PM2.5 Exposure
According to the study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, women exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy were found to have:
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A 40% higher likelihood of delivering low birth weight infants.
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A 70% increased chance of premature delivery.
The researchers further noted that each 10 microgram per cubic metre rise in PM2.5 levels was associated with a 5% increase in low birth weight prevalence, and a 12% increase in premature births.
Regional Disparities and Pollution Hotspots
The northern regions of India—including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana—recorded some of the highest PM2.5 levels, particularly in the Upper Gangetic plains.
These areas are heavily affected by pollution from fossil fuel combustion, industrial activity, and biomass burning.
Consequently, higher rates of premature births were observed in several northern states:
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Himachal Pradesh – 39%
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Uttarakhand – 27%
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Rajasthan – 18%
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Delhi – 17%
On the other hand, north-eastern states such as Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura showed significantly lower rates of premature births and low birth weight, likely due to lower pollution levels.
Punjab Leads in Low Birth Weight Prevalence
Among all states and union territories, Punjab had the highest percentage of low birth weight births at 22%, followed closely by Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
In contrast, several states in the northeast showed better outcomes on this health indicator.
Climate Factors Also Play a Role
In addition to pollution, the study highlighted that climate variables—including temperature and rainfall patterns—also significantly influence birth outcomes.
Regions with extreme weather conditions are more prone to higher rates of premature and underweight births, reinforcing the need for climate-sensitive health interventions.
Call for Urgent Action and Policy Response
The researchers emphasized that these findings should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. They recommended:
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Targeted interventions in high-risk northern districts.
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An intensification of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019 to curb air pollution levels.
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Inclusion of climate adaptation measures, such as heat action plans, flood control, and water management, in public health planning.
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Greater public awareness of environmental health risks, especially directed at pregnant women and families.
