最新一項研究表明，在極端溫度下工作的孕婦，熱應激可能會對她們腹中的胎兒產生影響。其影響包括胎兒心率加快和臍帶血流減慢。

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.

這項研究監測了在岡比亞稻田里工作的孕婦。她們在陽光直射、且經常是高濕度條件下耕作兩到八個小時。

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.

倫敦衛生與熱帶醫學院的研究人員表示，當孕婦在極端高溫環境下工作時，胎兒的心率會上升到危險水平。他們還發現，由于胎盤受到高溫的影響，流向胎兒的血流減慢。

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.

科學家們稱，這是第一次在現實世界中研究極端高溫對低收入國家孕婦的影響。他們呼吁開展更多的相關研究，因為許多地方現在都面臨著氣溫上升的問題。

詞匯表

monitored 監測了
humidity 濕度
heart rate 心率
blood flow 血流
foetus 胎兒
placenta 胎盤
real-world 真實環境中的，現實世界中的
pregnant 懷孕的

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

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.