Research progress on potential mechanisms of preterm birth after maternal heat exposure / 环境与职业医学

ABSTRACT

Preterm birth and its complications are the leading cause of neonatal death, and also a perinatal problem that contributes to the global burden of disease. Recently, the association between maternal heat exposure and elevated risk of preterm birth has been found in lots of studies. But the potential mechanisms of how heat exposure increase the incidence of preterm birth are still unclear. Thus, we reviewed maternal vulnerability factors and territorial moderators associated with preterm birth due to heat exposure during pregnancy, and summarized potential mechanisms between heat exposure and risk of preterm birth based on previous studies. We found that heat exposure during pregnancy may involve various mechanisms to increase the risk of preterm birth, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, reproductive and urinary infections, neuroendocrine changes, and complications during pregnancy. Prospective cohort studies and animal experiments should be conducted to clarify the adverse health effects of heat exposure on different types of preterm birth from three facets of "exposure-mechanism-effect", aiming to provide a scientific basis for the protection of maternal and infant health through conducing clinical preventive interventions against preterm birth in scorching weather.