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Growing in the Womb: The Effect of Seismic Activity on Fetal Growth

Author

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  • Álvarez-Aranda, Rocío
  • Chirkova, Serafima
  • Romero, José Gabriel

Abstract

We study how prenatal maternal stress, caused by sustained seismic activity, affects birth outcomes in Chile during the period 2011-2015. A mother-fixed-effect model together with the spatiotemporal variation of earthquakes in Chile allow us to deal with identification issues that have obscured previous estimates. Our findings show that prenatal maternal stress seems to affect fetal growth, because infants born to mothers exposed to earth tremors in early and/or mid gestation are more likely to be large for gestational age. The estimates suggest that relatively poorer Chilean mothers are more vulnerable to earthquakes, because their babies seem to drive the reported impacts on fetal growth. We discuss and provide evidence that suggests a possible mechanism that explains the varying results across socioeconomic status. Mothers with diabetes and/or hypertension are more likely to have large-for-gestational-age babies. Exposure to earth tremors seems to increase the incidence of these afflictions among the affected population, with the observed impact on diabetes being relatively higher among women with lower socio-economic status.

Suggested Citation

  • Álvarez-Aranda, Rocío & Chirkova, Serafima & Romero, José Gabriel, "undated". "Growing in the Womb: The Effect of Seismic Activity on Fetal Growth," ETA: Economic Theory and Applications 281282, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:feemth:281282
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.281282
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Noghanibehambari, Hamid, 2022. "In utero exposure to natural disasters and later-life mortality: Evidence from earthquakes in the early twentieth century," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    3. Hamid Noghanibehambari & Mahmoud Salari, 2022. "The Effect Of Unemployment Insurance On The Safety Net And Infant Health In The Usa," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 67(234), pages 7-28, July – Se.
    4. Berthelon, Matias & Kruger, Diana & Sanchez, Rafael, 2021. "Maternal stress during pregnancy and early childhood development," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    5. Armijos Bravo, Grace & Vall Castelló, Judit, 2021. "Terrorist attacks, Islamophobia and newborns’ health," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Noghanibehambari, Hamid, 2025. "Revealed comparative disadvantage of infants: Exposure to NAFTA and birth outcomes," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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