A new study: Heat significantly increases risk of late preterm birth

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The University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) said on Friday that temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius increase the risk by up to 45 percent. From 30 degrees, the risk increases by 20 percent.

“It was surprising that expectant mothers were able to survive a hot day or two,” said Petra Arck, who led the study. But if there were more days before cooling, more premature births would begin. This was especially true when high humidity increased the perceived temperature.

For the survey, Arck and his team analyzed data from the files of more than 42,000 patients who have given birth at UKE over the past 20 years. They compared the calculated and actual dates of birth with the climate tables of the Hamburg Weather Service. They concentrated on March-September, when temperatures are extremely high.

Heat stresses expectant mothers

According to current climate forecasts, by 2033, nearly one in six children could be born prematurely due to rising temperatures. That’s twice what it is today. It is unclear what consequences this will have for the health of the newborn.

A baby is considered premature if it is born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Between the 34th week and the 37th week is the period called late preterm birth. A birth before 37 weeks increases the risk of health problems later on. Among other things, the lungs are not yet mature at this point.

The heat is considered very stressful for expectant mothers. Because the abdomen presses on the main vein, not much blood goes to the heart. The effect is enhanced by heat. This affects the nutrient supply to the growing baby. Researchers advised expectant mothers to stay out of the sun and drink plenty of water when the weather is hot, between the 34th and 38th weeks of pregnancy. (AFP)

Source : Blick