2026-07-16 from ctvnews.ca

Heat may have lasting effects on brain development for children, a new study suggests.

According to research published in the Environment International journal, exposure to high temperatures during the early stages of life, including pregnancy, is linked to slower growth of the thalamus – a region in the brain involved in processing information – later in childhood.

The study, first published online in June, was led by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

Experts say the brain develops rapidly during pregnancy and the first years of life, making it especially sensitive to environmental factors. The findings raise concerns about the impact of extreme temperatures on children’s health as a result of climate change, according to the report.

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