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. 2024 Sep 3;30(11):3106–3113. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03245-7

Fig. 1. Hypothesized physiological, environmental and health system pathways of the effect of extreme heat on perinatal outcomes.

Fig. 1

Direct effects of heat may include placental changes and embryogenic/fetal impacts. These may lead to epigenetic changes, imprinting and other molecular effects. In the second and third trimester, these changes may lead to physiological effects, such as fetal growth restriction, resulting in stillbirth and neonatal deaths. In addition, indirect impacts may have an effect through health system responsiveness or through psychological factors, including stress and nutrition.