Exploring the effect of early-life climate anomalies on child growth in Sub-Saharan African context: Insight from the demographic & health survey

Background: Childhood malnutrition remains a critical public health issue in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with about 30 % of children affected by stunting, a marker of chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies during early development. While previous research suggests a link between climatic conditions and child growth, a deeper understanding is needed, particularly across diverse climatic zones. This study explores the impact of prenatal and postnatal climate anomalies (temperature and precipitation) on stunted growth among children in SSA. Methods: We analyzed health and demographic data from 30 SSA countries (2004–2021) within a Big Data framework, incorporating climatic and environmental data. Using three Bayesian hierarchical models, we examined the linear associations between pre- and post-natal climate anomalies and stunted growth, focusing on deviations from reference period means. Findings: Approximately 34.5 % of children in the study were stunted. The analysis identified significant associations between maximum temperature anomalies and increased stunting, while mean temperature and precipitation anomalies had varying effects. Reduced maximum temperatures were linked to lower stunting rates, whereas increased temperatures consistently correlated with higher stunting probabilities. Additionally, children residing in the Tropical Monsoon (Am) zone had a lower likelihood of stunting, whereas certain temperate zones were associated with increased stunting. Interpretation: The study highlights a complex relationship between climate anomalies and child growth in SSA. It underscores the need for targeted, context-specific policies that integrate climate adaptation with child health initiatives to address the growing impacts of climate change on child health in the region.