London: Experts have found in a study that extreme environmental temperatures can lead to pregnancy complications, diabetes, and thyroid disorders in pregnant women.
The study examined the impact of heat on women’s hormones, which play a role in nearly all biological functions, from insulin to estrogen, including blood sugar control, a healthy reproductive system, puberty, and pregnancy.
A 2017 study revealed that higher temperatures can affect the amount of glucose in the body, leading to an increase in diabetes cases.
Scientists from Singapore and the UK gathered evidence on how heat affects hormones and the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production and release of these hormones.
Associate Professor Jason Lee, involved in the research, stated that for pregnant women, the data indicates that heat increases the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and gestational diabetes.