LONDON: Hot weather is not just stressful in terms of anxiety but new research suggests that it can also affect a baby’s development before and after birth.
The researchers found that the average daily heat stress experienced by pregnant women during the first trimester increased their babies’ chances of having a low birth weight.
What’s more, the findings also suggest that growing infants who are regularly exposed to heat stress may also have stunted growth.
“Infants exposed to an average temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit at 1 year of age weighed less for their height and age than those exposed to an average temperature of 77 degrees,” the researchers said.
Dr Anna Bonnell, assistant professor and lead researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the findings build on previous evidence showing that the first trimester of pregnancy is a vulnerable time for heat exposure and that it is important to That we consider what factors may play a role in infant development.
