In front of him rising temperatures around the worldA new study from Monash University (Australia) analyzed whether this fact is related Premature births. The results will be published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
Carried out on 1.2 million births in Sydney between 2000 and 2020this work shows a strong connection between risk give birth before the 37th week of pregnancy is completed and extreme heat exposure in the third trimester.
Of course, the data suggests that pregnant women who live in Areas with abundant green spaces and extensive tree cover could mitigate these threats.
“In recent years we have observed a significant increase in the frequency of extremely hot days, a worrying trend attributed to the effects of climate change,” he tells SINC. Shanshan (Shandy) Lifrom the Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and lead researcher, “and this trend is expected to worsen in the future, which would pose even greater risks.”
“He Premature birth “It can profoundly affect brain development and increase susceptibility to certain psychiatric disorders,” Li adds, “but our understanding of the connection between heat exposure and preterm birth remains limited.”
Our aim is to provide governments, communities, public health services and individuals with compelling evidence to implement measures to reduce the risks associated with preterm birth due to heat exposure.
According to the authors, health services should consider preparing for a surge in births between weeks 21 and 37 as our climate warms.
“Our aim is to provide compelling evidence to governments, communities, public health services, doctors and individuals. These findings will allow them to take measures to reduce the risks associated with premature births due to heat exposure,” the researcher continues.
More than five million babies are born prematurely or too small for their gestational age each year. /AdobeStock
Reduce heat exposure during pregnancy
The research concluded that they are exposed to extreme heat during the day and night in the third quarter was closely associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, as opposed to equal exposure in the first or second trimester.
This association existed for all vegetation levels in the region, although the strength of the association decreased slightly among women living there Areas with more trees. According to the authors, this raises the possibility that such green spaces could somewhat reduce the excess risk of extreme heat exposure in the third trimester, “although the possible mitigating effects of green spaces or trees on childbirth are not fully known.” induced premature births,” says Li.
In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the frequency of extremely hot days, a worrying trend attributed to the effects of climate change.
“The results highlight the fundamental role of Health professionals when we advise pregnant women to minimize their excessive heat exposure, especially in the third trimester, to reduce the risk of premature birth,” emphasizes the author.
“Furthermore, they highlight the urgent need for governments and communities, both locally and globally, to prioritize expanding green spaces through initiatives such as planting more trees and establishing grasslands,” he emphasizes.
The results suggest that pregnant women living in areas with abundant green spaces and extensive tree cover could mitigate these risks. / Pixabay
The importance of prenatal temperatures
There is increasing, although still limited, epidemiological evidence linking prenatal environmental temperatures and birth outcomes, he contends. Yuming GuoLead author of the study.
“The nighttime air temperatures, especially the extreme heat at night, has a significant impact on health, including sleep and rest. The quality and duration of sleep affect various aspects of health, and changes in these factors can have an impact on pregnancy outcomes,” he emphasizes.
“High nighttime temperatures can change that Heart rhythms and may affect blood pressure, which can be a problem for pregnant women. Given the expected increase in degrees as our planet warms, it is crucial to understand its impact on birth outcomes and develop risk reduction strategies,” he emphasizes.
Regarding possible differences between different countries around the world, Li states that the risk of premature birth is related to heat exposure may vary from country to country due to different socioeconomic and demographic factors. And as for Spain: “Given the increasing frequency of hot days and the relatively low prevalence of air conditioner“It is conceivable that there are risks of premature birth associated with heat exposure in this context,” he concludes.
Reference:
Tingting Ye et al. “Heat stress, preterm birth and the role of greenery in Australia.” JAMA Pediatrics