2023-01-02 Working in extreme heat puts strain on foetus 孕期在极端高温下工作会对胎儿造成压力

最新一项研究表明，在极端温度下工作的孕妇，热应激可能会对她们腹中的胎儿产生影响。其影响包括胎儿心率加快和脐带血流减慢。

This study monitored pregnant women who were working in rice fields in The Gambia. They were farming in direct sun for between two to eight hours, often in high humidity.

这项研究监测了在冈比亚稻田里工作的孕妇。她们在阳光直射、且经常是高湿度条件下耕作两到八个小时。

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say as a mother worked in the extreme heat the heart rate of the unborn child increased to dangerous levels. They also found the blood flow to the foetus slowed as the placenta was impacted by the heat.

伦敦卫生与热带医学院的研究人员表示，当孕妇在极端高温环境下工作时，胎儿的心率会上升到危险水平。他们还发现，由于胎盘受到高温的影响，流向胎儿的血流减慢。

Scientists say this is the first real-world study looking at the impact of extreme heat on pregnant women in low-income countries. They are calling for more research as so many places now face rising temperatures.

科学家们称，这是第一次在现实世界中研究极端高温对低收入国家孕妇的影响。他们呼吁开展更多的相关研究，因为许多地方现在都面临着气温上升的问题。

词汇表

monitored 监测了
humidity 湿度
heart rate 心率
blood flow 血流
foetus 胎儿
placenta 胎盘
real-world 真实环境中的，现实世界中的
pregnant 怀孕的

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. In the study into the effects of heat on pregnant women and their unborn children, where were the women working?

2. In what ways did the extreme heat affect the unborn baby?

3. Why do scientists want more research into the effects of heat on unborn babies?

4. How many studies of the impact of extreme heat on pregnant women in low income countries have there been?

答案 

1. In the study into the effects of heat on pregnant women and their unborn children, where were the women working?
This study monitored pregnant women who were working in rice fields in The Gambia.

2. In what ways did the extreme heat affect the unborn baby?
Research found as the mother worked in the extreme heat the heart rate of the unborn child increased to dangerous levels. Blood flow to the foetus slowed as the placenta was impacted by the heat.

3. Why do scientists want more research into the effects of heat on unborn babies?
Scientists want more research as so many places now face rising temperatures.

4. How many studies of the impact of extreme heat on pregnant women in low income countries have there been?
This is the first real-world study looking at the impact of extreme heat on pregnant women in low-income countries.