For every degree Celsius rise in average daily heat in the first trimester of pregnancy, the weight of a baby at birth corresponding to gestation period was found to be lowered
Exposure to high levels of heat could
affect growth of foetuses in the womb and infants up to two years of age, an
analysis of over 600 pregnancies in the west African country of The Gambia has
suggested.
For every degree Celsius rise in average daily heat in the first
trimester of pregnancy, the weight of a baby at birth corresponding to
gestation period was found to be lowered, according to the findings published
in The Lancet Planetary Health journal. One experiences heat stress when their
body's ability to regulate temperature is compromised.
The researchers, led by those at the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK, followed a total of 668 infants, about half of
whom were girls and half boys, for their first 1,000 days of life.
At birth, 66
infants (10 per cent) were found to weigh under 2.5 kilograms, described as a
low birth weight by the researchers. About a third of the infants studied (218)
were found to be small for gestational age, while nine infants were born prematurely.
The researchers also found that heat stress experienced by
foetuses can continue to affect them after birth -- infants up to two years of
age exposed to high heat had lower weights and heights for their age.
The infants aged
between 6-18 months who had experienced higher levels of daily heat stress in
the previous three-month period were found to be the most affected.
The study is the first of its kind to show that heat stress can
hamper development of babies after birth, the researchers said.
As climate change intensifies, the effects of exposure to heat
must be urgently considered in public health interventions, they added.
"Our study demonstrates that the intersecting crises of
climate change, food insecurity, and undernutrition are disproportionately
affecting the most vulnerable, including young children," said lead author
Ana Bonell, an assistant professor at the Medical Research Council Unit The
Gambia, LSHTM.
The data for analysis was collected as part of a trial, conducted in West Kiang, The Gambia, between January 2010 and February 2015.
"These
findings build on previous evidence showing that the first trimester is a
vulnerable time to heat exposure and it's important that we now consider which
factors may be contributing to the relationship," Bonnell said.
Further research is needed to look at heat stress and its health impacts in regions beyond The Gambia, the researchers said.
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