The effects of prenatal exposure to temperature extremes on birth outcomes: the case of China

Xi Chen, Chih Ming Tan (), Xiaobo Zhang and Xin Zhang ()
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Chih Ming Tan: University of North Dakota
Xin Zhang: Beijing Normal University

Journal of Population Economics, 2020, vol. 33, issue 4, No 4, 1263-1302

Abstract: Abstract This paper investigates the effects of prenatal exposure to extreme temperatures on birth outcomes—specifically, the log of birth weight and an indicator for low birth weight—using a nationally representative dataset on rural China. During the time period we examine (1991–2000), indoor air conditioning was not widely available and migration was limited, allowing us to address identification issues endemic in the climate change literature related to adaptation and location sorting. We find substantial heterogeneity in the effects of extreme temperature exposure on birth outcomes. In particular, prenatal exposure to heat waves has stronger negative effects than exposure to cold spells on surviving births.

Keywords: Climate change; Cold weather; Heat waves; Birth weight; Low birth weight; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 Q51 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00148-020-00768-4

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