Shaped by climate: Temperature exposure and early-life health

In this dissertation, we investigated how ambient temperature affects human health during early life, from pregnancy through adolescence. Using data from three large European birth cohorts based in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain, the studies examined associations between temperature exposure and health outcomes. Exposure to cold and warm temperatures during early pregnancy was associated with changes in embryonic and foetal development outcomes, including a smaller crown-rump length and changes in head circumference. In adolescence, temperature exposure was associated with mental health symptoms, physical activity levels, and sleep health. Warmer temperatures promoted light and moderate physical activity but disrupted sleep; mental health associations differed for cold and heat between cohorts and symptom types. These results suggest that ambient temperatures can influence developmental health, with early life representing a critical window of vulnerability. Understanding these impacts is essential for public health policy planning and to support population adaptation as climate change continues to intensify.