Sensitivity to cold among pregnant women

—An analysis of Brazilian women—

Abstract

Purpose
To analyze the body temperature of pregnant Brazilian women living in Brazil who are aware of hiesho (sensitivity to cold) and to analyze the characteristics of their accessory symptoms during pregnancy and daily activities.
Method
Subjects were 200 Brazilian women living in Brazil who were in the 20th or later week of pregnancy. Data was collected by measuring body temperature and through a paper questionnaire. The study took place between October 2007 and February 2008.
Results
1. The average difference between forehead core temperature and core temperature of the sole of the foot among pregnant women aware of hiesho was 2.8°C and 2.0°C among pregnant women with no awareness of hiesho, a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.018). 2. In a comparison of awareness of hiesho and the scale for determining hiesho, among pregnant women aware of hiesho, 70.2% also met the scale for determining hiesho. Among pregnant women with no awareness of hiesho, 89.5% were determined not to have hiesho, also based on the scale for determining hiesho (Terasawa). 3. With regard to the relationship between hiesho among pregnant women and accessory symptoms/daily activities, no cause-and-effect relationship was observed between awareness of hiesho and hiesho-related pregnancy-associated troubles. There was a positive correlation between irregular living habits and hiesho-related pregnancy-associated troubles (β=0.41, p=0.049). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between irregular living habits and consumption of "unhealthy" foods through hiesho-related pregnancy-associated troubles (β=0.38, p=0.021).
Conclusions
1. The difference between forehead core temperature and core temperature of the sole of the foot among pregnant women aware of hiesho and pregnant women with no awareness of hiesho was significantly large. Awareness of hiesho reflects temperature differences, which is an objective indicator. 2. Among pregnant women with no awareness of hiesho, the coincidence ratio with the scale for determining hiesho (Terasawa) was approximately 80%. 3. Among pregnant Brazilian women, there was no cause-and-effect relationship between differences in core temperature and awareness of hiesho on the one hand and hiesho-related pregnancy-associated troubles, irregular living habits and consumption of "unhealthy" foods on the other; daily activities have no impact on hiesho.