Key Points
Exposure to high levels of heat could affect growth of foetuses in the womb and infants up to two years of age, an analysis of over 600 pregnancies in the west African country of The Gambia has suggested...
For every degree Celsius rise in average daily heat in the first trimester of pregnancy, the weight of a baby at birth corresponding to gestation period was found to be lowered, according to the findings published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal..
The researchers also found that heat stress experienced by foetuses can continue to affect them after birth -- infants up to two years of age exposed to high heat had lower weights and heights for their age...
The infants aged between 6-18 months who had experienced higher levels of daily heat stress in the previous three-month period were found to be the most affected...
"Our study demonstrates that the intersecting crises of climate change, food insecurity, and undernutrition are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, including young children," said lead author Ana Bonell, an assistant professor at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, LSHTM...
