Extreme heat is raising risks for pregnant women and babies, survey finds

{"text":[[{"start":8.65,"text":"Intensifying heat is sharply increasing risks for pregnant women and their babies, according to a survey of 1,000 health professionals from the UK to Zimbabwe. "}],[{"start":19.3,"text":"The poll of midwives, obstetricians and others in the field by Wellcome, one of the world’s biggest scientific funders, found that 73 per cent had seen an increase in heat-related complications affecting pregnant women over the past five years. More than three-quarters reported an increase in harm to foetal or newborn health from high temperatures over the same period."}],[{"start":41.900000000000006,"text":"The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking heat to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including congenital abnormalities, stillbirths, preterm births and maternal hypertension. For every 1C rise in heat exposure, the odds of preterm birth increase by around 4 per cent, separate research has found, while exposure to heatwaves is associated with a 25 per cent higher risk of obstetric complications. "}],[{"start":67.75,"text":"Extreme heat is a relative, rather than absolute concept, so even mothers and babies in more temperate countries are affected, research has shown."}],[{"start":76.25,"text":"Ahead of the COP31 summit next month, Wellcome, which is investing about £20mn in research into how heat is causing these effects and potential mitigations, is calling for the needs of pregnant women and their babies to be reflected in national climate and health plans, with funding for specific measures to protect them from extreme heat."}],[{"start":97.05,"text":"It is also demanding the first WHO clinical guidance on heat, pregnancy and the post-partum period, and for heat exposure to be integrated into health monitoring and early-warning systems to track its impact on maternal and newborn health. "}],[{"start":111.1,"text":"Julia Gillard, chair of Wellcome and former prime minister of Australia, said no woman should have to fear that extreme heat would harm the baby she was carrying. "}],[{"start":121.39999999999999,"text":"“Pregnant women must not be invisible as temperatures rise across the globe due to our changing climate. Leaders have the evidence they need — now they must act,” she added."}],[{"start":134.6,"text":"Nearly all the professionals who responded to the Wellcome survey, which also spanned Australia, Brazil and India, had personally cared for a pregnant woman or baby whose health they believed was affected by extreme heat. "}],[{"start":147,"text":"Around one in four had seen pregnancy complications requiring additional monitoring or treatment that they believed were linked to very high temperatures. More than a third reported low birthweight or restricted growth, dehydration and heat-related illness in newborns and difficulties with feeding, breathing and temperature regulation. "}],[{"start":168.4,"text":"Heat is also increasing practical barriers to women receiving sufficient support, the survey suggested. More than a quarter of respondents said it was making it harder for pregnant women and families to travel to, or access, care while 29 per cent reported an increase in women arriving as urgent or emergency cases. "}],[{"start":186.85,"text":"More than 90 per cent of respondents wanted more training and resources to protect pregnant women during extreme heat, while 55 per cent say clearer national or international guidance would help them provide better care. "}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":208.99999999999997,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1791178587_9557.mp3"}