Extreme heat during pregnancy can have lifelong negative effects on a child's health, economic status, and more
Extreme heat is known to have adverse physical effects such as heatstroke, as well as
Impacts of heat exposure in utero on long-term health and social outcomes: a systematic review | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Full Text
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-024-06512-0
Heat exposure during pregnancy can lead to a lifetime of health problems
https://theconversation.com/heat-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-lead-to-a-lifetime-of-health-problems-230217
A research team from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa points out that climate change is one of the greatest public health threats humanity has ever faced, and that rising temperatures are associated with worsening health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children. In fact, past research has shown that hotter days are associated with a higher risk of premature birth, where babies are born earlier than expected.
Global warming could make babies more likely to be born early - GIGAZINE
'However, the long-term effects of heat exposure during pregnancy on the fetus have been poorly studied, so we conducted a systematic review of previous studies that examined whether heat exposure during pregnancy affects health and socioeconomic status later in life.'
The research team reviewed 29 high-quality studies and found that the majority of studies linked heat exposure during pregnancy to adverse long-term effects. The negative effects of exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy are not limited to physical effects, but are also associated with poorer academic performance and lower income. For example, a US study reported that for every day with temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius during early pregnancy, annual income at age 30 was reduced by $56 (about 5,800 yen in 2008 dollars).
Extreme heat during pregnancy also led to adverse physical effects, such as an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, childhood asthma, and pneumonia, the latter of which is estimated to increase by 85% for every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature during pregnancy. Another study found that increased heat exposure during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of malnutrition in children in Africa, and a higher risk of obesity in the United States.
Many studies have also shown that extreme heat during pregnancy increases the risk of mental illness, including eating disorders and schizophrenia. Some research has also shown that the month a baby is born is associated with a higher risk of mental illness, and the researchers suggest that this may be influenced by heat exposure during pregnancy.
The effects of heat exposure during pregnancy on children are also seen in the form of a 'shortened life expectancy,' and those exposed to extreme heat as fetuses were more likely to die prematurely. The researchers also reported that the effects of extreme heat were greater on women than on men.
The adverse effects of heat exposure during pregnancy on the fetus are likely due to multiple factors, the research team said.
- Deteriorating maternal health conditions, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension or diabetes
- Effects of heat on the baby's development and nervous system
Increased risks at birth, such as premature birth
-Effects on fetal DNA
'Although our study has limitations, our results are alarming and support immediate individual, community and global action to protect pregnant women and their unborn children from heat exposure,' the team said, arguing that innocent children should be protected from the adverse effects of climate change.
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