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Heat Sways Birth Sex: Fewer Boys Born in Hot Climates
6 Mar
Summary
- Higher temperatures during pregnancy linked to fewer male births.
- Study analyzed over five million births across Africa and India.
- Heat stress on pregnant women has severe health implications.
Experiencing elevated ambient temperatures during gestation is linked to a reduced number of male births, according to a comprehensive study analyzing demographic and health surveys in sub-Saharan Africa and India. The research, which examined over five million births, indicates that days exceeding 20°C maximum temperature are negatively associated with male births in both regions.
In sub-Saharan Africa, increased male birth reduction was observed following high first-trimester temperatures, possibly due to maternal heat stress leading to spontaneous abortions. Conversely, India showed a connection between second-trimester heat exposure and fewer male births, particularly affecting older mothers in rural areas.
Experts highlight that heat stress during pregnancy can lead to severe adverse health events for mothers, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm births. The study emphasizes the critical role of governments in implementing heat action plans and communicating risks effectively to vulnerable populations, ensuring that pregnant and lactating women are explicitly included in these measures.
