Hitzeeinwirkung während der Schwangerschaft und im Säuglingsalter kann die Gehirnentwicklung von Kindern beeinflussen. Untersuchungen ergaben außerdem, dass ein langsameres Thalamuswachstum mit stärker nach außen gerichteten Verhaltenssymptomen während der Adoleszenz, einschließlich aggressivem und regelwidrigem Verhalten, verbunden ist
https://www.isglobal.org/en/-/la-exposicion-al-calor-durante-el-embarazo-y-los-primeros-anos-de-vida-podria-influir-en-el-desarrollo-cerebral-infantil
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Physical activity, Exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy and early infancy is associated with slower growth of the thalamus later in childhood, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the ”la Caixa” Foundation. The findings, published in Environment international, suggest that heat exposure during the earliest stages of life may have lasting effects on brain development.
Climate change is increasing exposure to extreme temperatures worldwide, raising concerns about its impact on children’s health. Pregnancy and the first years of life are particularly important for brain development, as the brain grows rapidly and is especially sensitive to environmental factors. Although previous studies have linked heat exposure to changes in cognition and mental health, there is not much literature about its effects on brain structure.
„We wanted to examine whether exposure to heat or cold from conception to 8.5 years of age was associated with changes in brain development during late childhood and adolescence, and to identify the periods when the brain is most vulnerable,“ explains Laura Granés, ISGlobal and IDIAPJGol researcher and first author of the study.
The study included 3,251 children participating in the Generation R Study, a birth cohort in the Netherlands. “We used a high-resolution climate model that provided weekly outdoor temperature estimates during pregnancy and monthly estimates from birth to 8.5 years of age at each participant’s place of residence. We then analysed brain MRI scans performed at around 10 and 14 years of age”says Granés. This allowed researchers to measure how the volume of 11 brain structures changed over time and to examine whether these changes were associated with earlier exposure to heat or cold.
Why the thalamus appears especially vulnerable
Among the brain regions studied, only the thalamus showed a consistent association with early-life heat exposure. The thalamus acts as the brain’s main relay centre, processing and transmitting sensory and motor information to the cerebral cortex.
The researchers believe this region may be particularly sensitive because it develops very early in pregnancy and follows a tightly regulated developmental timeline. Its rich blood supply during foetal development may also make it more vulnerable to heat-related changes affecting the placenta or blood flow to the foetus.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412026003430?via%3Dihub
So stupid question, would that mean that babies conceived and born in hotter climates would be at an inherent disadvantage to other babies who were born in more temperate climates? Or does the mother’s heat tolerance affect the baby prior to birth?
So these are the kids who grow up to run tech companies and former democracies.
I’m confused: why is 20.5 C considered a high ambient temperature?
Cries in Texas
But seriously? Don’t workout during pregnancy?
I daresay a bit of rule-breaking and aggression and chaos is warranted at this point.
Would this apply to fevers? Could THIS be the link to why high fevers during pregnancy are linked to Autism development?
The winter lamb is truly the best lamb
20.5 C is their high temperature? 68.9 degrees Fahrenheit?
And the baseline was 12.5 C or 54.5 F?
Is this study legitimately claiming that room temperatures are stunting thalamic growth and women should be below 55 degrees while pregnant?
I don’t understand how this translates to the real world. Is mean temperature being used as a proxy for episodes of very high temperature exposure?
Does anyone have a clear interpretation of this?
Great! My baby is just one month old and already had to survive two heatwaves inclusive a record of the highest temperature EVER measured in my country (Denmark). What can I do the following months to mitigate this? Is it better to have AC in my room to keep it consistently below 18 degrees both day and night?
Are there any findings about the reverse of this? Is it better for a woman to just be more on the colder side during pregnancy, and what about extreme cold, like an ice bath? Definitely seeing youtubers, not sure if they’re healthy, but seeing them hop into ice baths with their big old pregnant bellies. Obviously, that doesn’t kill the child, but I am just wondering if just trying to keep your body kind of in a state of coolness and trying to heat up as little as possible just creates the ideal baby brain.
Women have been having babies since time began….in all sorts of environments, climate, temperatures, seasons, locations, etc. And in all of these parameters, some children are smart and some not so much so I wouldn’t panic over such an observation. Live your life. Sounds like excuse making for bad behavior, etc. How about linking the study. Exceptions of extremes but not normal life.
So hot countries are full of aggressive criminals ?
So when they develop on cooler climates they’re a lot more… Chill you say?
Good thing I was born in the winter and am tooooootally normal!
I might be about to ask the dumbest question ever, if so please be nice:
Are babies in the womb not all living at pretty much the same temperature? And it’s significantly above 20?