Climate change has become a threat to the planet's demographics
Global warming has become the most serious public health threat humanity has ever faced. Rising temperatures are associated with worsening health conditions, especially among vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children.
Scientists have previously shown that exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of premature birth and stillbirth. New research continues to reveal alarming links between natural phenomena and adverse outcomes for mothers and their babies. Congenital abnormalities, hypertension during pregnancy, and low birth weight are some of the dangers associated with rising temperatures.
“One area that hasn't received as much attention is the long-term effects of heat on the baby during pregnancy. To explore this question, we conducted a systematic review of all existing studies on the effects of heat exposure during pregnancy on health and socioeconomic outcomes later in life,” — say scientists.
Based on the results of the data analysis, it was found that people who were exposed to excessive body heat before they were born suffered alarming consequences throughout their lives.
The most likely scenario was that location and individual vulnerability factors play a role. Different settings may also have different thresholds and periods of heightened sensitivity.
The researchers reviewed 29 studies spanning more than 100 years, allowing them to see effects across a person’s lifespan. More than 60 percent of the analyses were conducted in high-income countries, which often have cooler climates.
In Africa, the risk of malnutrition in children increases with increasing heat exposure during pregnancy. In the United States, extreme temperatures have been linked to increased risk of obesity.
Many studies have also shown links to mental illness, including increased risk of eating disorders and schizophrenia. The month a child is born has previously been shown to be associated with the risk of mental illness. A new study suggests that heat exposure may be one reason.
The heatwave effect culminated in a link to lower life expectancy, with people exposed to higher temperatures while in the womb found to die earlier.