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The Impacts of Temperature Shocks on Birth Weight in Vietnam

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  • Kien Le
  • My Nguyen

Abstract

This paper investigates the extent to which in utero exposure to temperature shocks affects birth weight outcomes in Vietnam. Exploiting the variations across districts and conception timing within districts, we show that a one standard deviation increase in temperature relative to the local norm (approximately 0.52°C) during the first trimester of pregnancy reduces the child's weight at birth by 67 g or 2.2 percent. Our heterogeneity analysis suggests that infants living in rural areas, born to poor and low‐educated mothers are especially vulnerable to temperature shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Kien Le & My Nguyen, 2021. "The Impacts of Temperature Shocks on Birth Weight in Vietnam," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 47(4), pages 1025-1047, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popdev:v:47:y:2021:i:4:p:1025-1047
    DOI: 10.1111/padr.12428
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kien Le & My Nguyen, 2022. "The impacts of rainfall shocks on birth weight in Vietnam," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 143-159, April.
    2. Le, Kien & Nguyen, My, 2021. "Education and political engagement," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Risto Conte Keivabu & Marco Cozzani & Joshua Wilde, 2023. "Temperature and fertility: evidence from Spanish register data," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2023-021, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    4. Hong, Yumin, 2025. "Heat and humidity on early-life outcomes: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    5. Le, Kien & Nguyen, My, 2020. "The Impacts of Armed Conflict on Child Health: Evidence from 56 Developing Countries," MPRA Paper 109896, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Wu, Wenjie & Zhe, Yang & Kim, Jun Hyung & Yue, Ai, 2023. "Effects of Early Childhood Climate on Cognitive Development and Home Environment," IZA Discussion Papers 16017, IZA Network @ LISER.
    7. Munyanyi, Musharavati Ephraim & Grote, Ulrike, 2025. "Temperature shocks and multidimensional energy poverty: Evidence from Malawi," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. Luca Maria Pesando & Alejandra Abufhele, 2024. "Declining Quantity and Quality of Births in Chile amidst the COVID‐19 Pandemic," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 50(S1), pages 75-99, July.
    9. Le, Kien & Nguyen, My, 2021. "In-utero Exposure to Rainfall Variability and Early Childhood Health," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    10. Diana Pinilla Alarc√≥n, 2025. "Effects of Temperature Shocks on Maternal Morbidity in Colombia," Documentos CEDE 21370, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    11. Nguyen, My, 2020. "Mask Mandates and COVID-19 Related Symptoms in the US," MPRA Paper 109992, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Le, Kien & Nguyen, My, 2022. "Son Preference and Health Disparities in Developing Countries," MPRA Paper 112348, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Kien Le & My Nguyen, 2022. "The long-run impacts of paid maternity leave on height and educational attainment," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    14. Kien, Le, 2020. "Internet Access for Children’s Online Schooling during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Parental Mental Health," MPRA Paper 110579, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Le, Kien & Nguyen, My, 2020. "The Impacts of Temperature Shocks on Birth Weight in Vietnam," MPRA Paper 110325, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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