Impact of Climate Change on Child Outcomes: An Evidence Gap Map Review

Background: Despite their minimal contribution to greenhouse gases, climate change significantly affects children. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the impact of climate change on child health, utilizing the Evidence Gap Map (EGM) to address knowledge gaps and establish a foundation for evidence-based interventions.
Method: This INPLASY-registered study adhered to Campbell Collaboration standards, creating an EGM on the impact of climate on child health. From inception to the present, we systematically identified global studies involving children aged 0-5 through database searches (Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL, and Scopus). COVIDENCE facilitated a rigorous screening process, and critical appraisal was conducted. Eligible studies underwent coding and extraction using Evidence for Policy and Practice Information (EPPI) reviewer software. The EGM construction employed EPPI Mapper, presenting comprehensive findings through tables and figures.
Result: From 11,446 initial articles , 196 underwent rigorous analysis, revealing commendable methodological rigour. This study included 59.2% children and 40.8% neonates, with diverse approaches, including 94% quantitative studies. A notable trend is the surge in research over the past five years, aligning with the increasing severity of extreme climate events. Disparities revealed a substantial concentration of extreme heat. Key outcomes comprised preterm birth (55 studies), low birth weight (27 studies), neonatal mortality, malnutrition (59 studies), respiratory and diarrheal diseases (28 studies), mental health problems, and child mortality.
Conclusion: This EGM is a crucial tool for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, highlighting knowledge gaps and guiding future research to address the evolving threats of climate change to global child health.