2022
Author(s): Nguyen M, Le K
This study evaluates how being prenatally exposed to rainfall shocks affects birth weight outcomes in Kyrgyzstan, one of the most climate change vulnerable countries in Central Asia. We detect detrimental impacts of rainfall shocks during the prenatal period on birth weight. In particular, a 0.1 log point increase in in-utero rainfall relative to the local norm reduces birth weight by 23.4 grams (or 0.84%). Furthermore, children whose mothers are poor and live in rural areas are disproportionately affected. The negative impacts of fetal exposure to rainfall shocks could be partly attributed to prenatal care, diseases, and nutrient intakes. Besides, the impacts tend to concentrate in the first trimester of pregnancy.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2049189