Extreme heat linked to diabetes in pregnant women, thyroid disorders: Study

There are links between extreme temperatures and gestational diabetes in pregnant women, as well as between heat and thyroid disorders.

- Shabana Begum

This is according to studies carried out in recent years that have examined the effect heat has on hormones the chemicals that coordinate and affect hundreds of bodily processes.

Hormones, from insulin to oestrogen, play a role in nearly all biological functions, including blood sugar control and fertility, and all key life stages such as puberty and pregnancy.

A 2017 US study found that higher temperatures can affect the amount of glucose that is broken down into energy, increasing the prevalence of diabetes.

Scientists from Singapore and Britain, who recently concluded a review of medical research since the 1940s, found evidence of heat affecting hormones and the endocrine system the system in charge of creating and releasing those hormones.

For pregnant women, data shows that heat increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and gestational diabetes, said Associate Professor Jason Lee from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), who was involved in the research.

This could be due to inflammation and reduced blood flow to the uterus as more blood is channelled to the skin to help the body cool down, but further study is required.

"Basically we know the impacts, but the 'why' and 'how' are lacking," said Prof Lee, who is also director of the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre at NUS Medicine.