Medical News
Hot weather affects foetal health
Study reveals another harmful effect of global warming
Rising temperatures can cause health complications in the foetus of pregnant women , who are particularly vulnerable to climate change .
A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that maternal exposure to heat negatively impacts the baby ’ s health and is linked to an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes such as premature birth , low birth weight , and stillbirth . This finding is similar to that of another study by the University of Sydney on nearly 920,000 mothers from 2005 to 2014 where over three percent of the study group delivered their babies prematurely . Pregnant women typically display higher temperatures , making them more prone to heat exhaustion which can adversely affect foetal development .
Another study by The Lancet Planetary Health showed that severe heat exposure causes foetal distress in the form of elevated blood pressure and decreased blood flow from the placenta . The research involved a sample group of pregnant agricultural workers who displayed foetal stress due to extreme weather and strenuous labour . Researchers theorised that foetal distress was attributed to the mother ’ s increased sweating , leading to dehydration and more blood and oxygen from the placenta being diverted from the foetus to reduce the mother ’ s body temperature . Research in the Journal of the American Heart Association also showed a high prevalence of congenital heart defects among foetuses due to maternal heat exposure .
The latest finding reaffirms conclusions from past research on the effects of hot weather on babies ’ health . Births in hot environments are also associated with rapid weight gain , which puts the infant at risk of obesity later in life , according to an Israeli study . It speculated that infant weight gain was due to the rapid production of fatty tissues that regulate body temperature during foetal growth .
Research cited in Current Environmental Health Reports similarly indicates that continuous maternal exposure to heat produces adverse pregnancy outcomes such as high blood pressure , eclampsia , and early cervical opening that can lead to premature birth . Babies born prematurely are likely to develop health complications such as childhood brain disorders , immunological problems , and cardiovascular diseases .
Given the growing body of evidence connecting climate change and maternal health declines , policymakers , public health bodies , and clinical researchers need to work together on a comprehensive plan to lessen the impact of climate change on pregnant women and their children .
Continuous maternal exposure to heat produces adverse pregnancy outcomes such as high blood pressure , eclampsia , and early cervical opening that can lead to premature birth .
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