A wildfire burns in the eastern city of Samcheok on March 4, 2022, in this photo provided by the city.
SEOUL, June 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Smoke emanating from wildfires can have adverse effects on the health of newborn babies residing in close proximity, a study indicated Sunday.
A research team from Sungkyunkwan University’s School of Medicine examined the birth weight of infants born to mothers who had been exposed to wildfires that occurred in the Goseong, Donghae and Samcheok regions of Gangwon Province in April 2000.
By utilizing data from Statistics Korea, the research team analyzed the birth weight of 1,854 babies delivered after April 15, once the fires had ceased.
The findings revealed that infants whose mothers had been exposed to the smoke from the fires had an average birth weight 41.4 grams lighter compared to those who had not been exposed.
According to the research team, pregnant women are the most susceptible to the smoke among all demographic groups.
The pressure exerted on the baby’s diaphragm due to the smoke prompts an accelerated breathing rate, hindering the supply of oxygen.
Consequently, it decelerates fetal growth and results in developmental retardation.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
