A new analysis by a team at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggests that exposure to high levels of heat could impact both fetal growth and infant development until the child reaches the age of two.
This is the first study of its kind to show that heat stress could have an effect on the development of babies after birth.
The research, which examined data from babies and their mothers collected in a clinical trial, found a small reduction in birth weight for gestational age for every one-degree increase in average daily temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy.
In the trial, no effect on growth was observed due to heat stress during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Details of the investigation
Research suggests that an increase in head circumference compared to body circumference for gestational age may occur in fetuses exposed to heat stress during the third trimester of gestation.
The results also show that infants up to two years of age exposed to high temperatures in their surroundings could have lower weights and heights than those corresponding to their age.
The largest reductions were seen in children aged 6 to 18 months who experienced higher average daily levels of heat stress in the previous trimester.
At 12 months, children who were exposed to heat stress equivalent to 30 degrees Celsius were more likely to have low weight for their height and age compared to those who experienced stress from a temperature equivalent to 25 degrees.
What do researchers think?
The team, led by researchers from The Gambia Medical Research Council Unit at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, believes that the impacts of heat exposure must urgently be considered in public health interventions to reduce the impact of climate change on pregnant women and their children.
Assistant Professor and study leader Ana Bonell said: “The study shows that the crises of climate change, food insecurity, and malnutrition are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, including young children.”
“These findings add to previous evidence showing that the first trimester is a vulnerable time for heat exposure and it is important that we now consider what factors might contribute to the relationship,” she said.
According to Bonell, ” It is likely that heat stress may impact appetite, food intake, and availability and we are also assessing whether there might be direct effects on cellular and inflammatory pathways, adding to the already reduced ability of pregnant women and infants to regulate their body temperature.”
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