Extreme, increasingly frequent heat waves due to global warming, increase the risks to pregnant women and their babies.
The increase in heat waves, driven by theis increasingly exposing pregnant women at dangerous temperatures, with potential serious consequences for maternal and child health. A new international report warns of risks.
“Climate change are increasing the risks related to pregnancy worldwide due to extreme heat,” summarizes a report by the US NGO Climate Central, released in France by the Consequences Association, according to AFP.
The study sought to measure the degree of exposure of pregnant women to excessive heat since the 2020s and to what extent this phenomenon can be attributed to global warming.
More dangerous days for pregnancy
The analysis concludes that, In 221 countries, climate change doubled the average number of extreme heat days at risk for pregnancy, per year.
The increase is especially accentuated in regions with limited access to health care – such as Caribbean, parts of Central and South America, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and Sub -Saharan Africa.
Other vulnerable populations
The report did not evaluate the concrete impact on the pregnant women of these countries, focusing only on the evolution of dangerous temperatures.
But by focusing on pregnant women, the report draws attention to a risk still little discussed by the media and health authorities, contrary to the effects of heat on older people.
Although doubts persist about the physiological mechanisms involved, the risks are increasingly well documented.
Premature deliveries and malformations between risks
A more comprehensive, published study gives a global view of current knowledge: High temperatures bring multiple risks-from premature births and congenital malformations to the death of newborns.
“Increased exposure to heat represents a major threat to the health of mothers and newborns,” warns the authors of the article based on almost 200 studies.
However, the individual impact must be relativized. According to this study, a wave of heat increases the risk of complications in pregnancy at 1.25 times. For an isolated pregnant woman, the risk is low, but in population terms has a significant weight in public health.
Climate adaptation
Experts point to the urgent need for adaptation measures, as well as direct combat to climate change.
Some solutions would benefit not only pregnant women, but the general population, such as planting more trees in neighborhoods, reducing pollution, creating cooling points.
