Scientists from Sydney said there was a clear link between overheating and the risk of premature birth.

Year 2023 has already gone down in history as the hottest year on record.According to the World Meteorological Organization and the European Copernican system. The average global temperature reached 14.98 ºC, exceeding the previous record in 2016 by 0.17 ºC.

This increase represents an increase of nearly one and a half degrees over pre-industrial levels. Heat waves are becoming more frequent, marking significant changes in global climate.

Related to these climate changes is an exhaustive study conducted in the Australian state of Sydney. This highlighted the correlation that exists between extreme hot weather conditions and a noticeable increase in the number of premature births

which reached more than sixty thousand cases.

Extreme heat and premature birth

A new study led by researcher Shanshan Li from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University found connection between heat especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, and an increase in premature births.

An Australian study warns health services “should consider preparing for an increase in preterm births as our climate warms.”

Analysis of 1.2 million births over the past two decades in Sydney and New South Wales, They were identified up to 63,144 premature births. The study compared these events to “excess heat” periods, defined as quarterly temperatures above the 95% percentile over the past 20 years. Over the past two decades, this requirement has been exceeded several times in Australia.

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The results, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, highlight the strong association between days with a significant increase in temperature and the risk of preterm birth. In addition, they emphasize the importance take into account the impact of climate on health, sleep and well-being

especially at night.

And hot nights mark changes in circadian rhythms, causing difficulty breathing and abnormal fluctuations in blood pressure, especially Harmful to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women.

Lack of hair means more premature births

The study also points to positive impact of vegetation on reducing risk due to extreme temperatures. Exposure to extreme heat is considered a risk factor for preterm birth in all geographic regions studied. However, some reduction in this risk is observed in areas with large forest cover and green spaces.

The presence of trees in residential areas is a significant factor in reducing the risk of premature birth, as shown by satellite images taken in areas inhabited by pregnant women.

For this reason, Professor Lee emphasized the positive effects of vegetation on physical and mental health, advocating the integration of urban heat-mitigating strategies such as expanding green spaces, especially in urban environments. lUrban planning focused on public health can make a difference.