DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
30C heat increases chance of premature births, German study reveals
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

30C heat increases chance of premature births, German study reveals

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

2025 in Germany: All the changes you need to know about2025 in Germany: All the changes you need to know about
2024 in Germany: All of the changes you need to know about2024 in Germany: All of the changes you need to know about
German budget 2024: Record funding for defence and cuts to ElterngeldGerman budget 2024: Record funding for defence and cuts to Elterngeld
April 2023: 9 changes affecting expats in GermanyApril 2023: 9 changes affecting expats in Germany
June 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in GermanyJune 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in Germany
UNICEF: Germany just 25th-best country for children’s wellbeingUNICEF: Germany just 25th-best country for children’s wellbeing
SPD parliamentary group pushes to legalise abortion in GermanySPD parliamentary group pushes to legalise abortion in Germany
Berlin neighbourhood opens play park designed by childrenBerlin neighbourhood opens play park designed by children
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jul 10, 2023
Olivia Logan

Editor at IamExpat Media

Editor for Germany at IamExpat Media. Olivia first came to Germany in 2013 to work as an Au Pair. Since studying English Literature and German in Scotland, Freiburg and Berlin she has worked as a features journalist and news editor.Read more

A university study out of Hamburg has found that the increasingly regular extreme heat found during European summers increases the chance of premature births. Researchers warn that the rates could rise dramatically over the next decade if countermeasures are not taken.

Extreme heat encourages premature births

A study by researchers at the Hamburg-Eppendorf University Hospital, published in the EBioMedicine medical journal, has found that increased global temperatures caused by climate change increase the risk of premature births during the later stages of pregnancy.

In recent years, heat days or Hitzetage - days where the temperature reaches 30 degrees celsius or above - have occurred earlier in the summer and more regularly across Germany and Europe. According to the study, the risk of premature birth is increased by 20 percent in 30-degree weather. In temperatures of 35 degrees, the risk is increased by 45 percent.

During their studies, researchers at the hospital found that the likelihood of premature birth was increased during consecutive hot days. “Expectant mothers were obviously able to bridge one or two hot days,” said research leader Petra Arck. However, if there are consecutive days, particularly those with high humidity, the risk of premature birth is increased.

Premature birth risk will significantly increase by 2033

According to the European Commission, about 500.000 babies are born prematurely in Europe every year. Across the world, every 10th baby is born prematurely, but according to the Hamburg study, this figure could increase to every sixth child by 2033.

To reach their conclusion, Arck and her team studied the medical records of 42.000 patients who had given birth at the university hospital over the past 20 years. These records were compared alongside climate tables from Hamburg weather reports, particularly between the months of March to September.

Arck’s hypothesis that one in six births will be premature by 2033 is based on current climate projections of how global temperatures will rise if no effective measures are urgently adopted to avoid climate feedback loops and tipping points, such as permafrost thawing and cascading forest loss.

The study from the German university concludes by encouraging healthcare systems, doctors and obstetricians to introduce concrete healthcare measures, such as more regularly monitoring expectant parents during periods of extreme heat.

Thumb image credit: Melanie Lemahieu / Shutterstock.com

By Olivia Logan