Eating habits, atmospheric pollution, mother’s overweight, Gestational Diabetes, alcoholism, smoking … During pregnancy, many factors can influence the birth weight of the child. As a reminder, the health authorities estimate that a baby born at term (that is to say: not premature) must weigh between 2.6 and 4 kg, and be between 45 and 55 cm …
If the child is born with a weight considered “too low”, the consequences can be significant: thus, “small babies” are more likely to suffer from respiratory or neurological disorders, growth problems, blindness, death. deafness, even chronic diseases in adulthood – hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders.
Incredible but true: According to a recent American study, the weather during pregnancy could also decrease the birth weight of the child. To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers worked on the data concerning 220,000 births which occurred in 19 American hospitals, between 2002 and 2008: these statistics were put in relation with the meteorological data of the time.
Disrupted blood circulation?
Verdict? Temperatures that are too low or too high (i.e. below the 5th percentile or above the 97th percentile of average temperatures for the region) would promote birth weights below 2.45 kg. Researchers estimate that women who experience extreme temperatures during their second or third trimester of pregnancy have an additional 18% to 31% risk of giving birth to a puny baby.
The researchers’ hypothesis? Extreme temperatures could disrupt blood flow to the body.uterus, which would have an impact on the development of the fetus. “We therefore advise expectant mothers to take care of them during their pregnancy, especially in winter and summer,” they add. Avoid too cold or too high temperatures as much as possible: also limit your movements in areas with extreme weather conditions. “
This work has been published in the specialist journal Environmental Research.
