Summer babies smaller than winter babies
1
Recent Australian research has found babies born at the end of a hot summer are smaller than those born in the colder winter months.
- Health hub/
- Resources for Pregnancy and Preconception/
- Summer babies smaller than winter babies
Recent Australian research has found babies born at the end of a hot summer are smaller than those born in the colder winter months.
The Western Australian study investigated almost 150,000 births over a nine year period. The results showed women who were in their third trimester during a hot summer had a 2% increased risk of foetal growth restriction compared with women who gave birth at the end of winter.
It is amazing that seasonal variations can impact the birth weight outcomes of our children. There are many other well known factors that can affect birth weight such as prenatal exposure to maternal smoking, chemical exposure such as pesticides, outdoor air pollution and poor maternal nutrition.
The authors found that hot weather throughout and late in pregnancy can constrain foetal growth independently of air pollutants and other risk factors.
We accept
