INFORMED v1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the effects of climate change on responses of pregnant women in different communities in Wales
IRAS ID
346915
Contact name
Cathy Thornton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Our Study, INFORMED is a feasibility study, part of a larger project, MAGENTA, looking to address gaps in our knowledge of how excessive heat, especially in unacclimatised areas can affect maternal, fetal and child health in deprived and least deprived areas. It has been shown in multiple large cohort studies worldwide that deprivation in communities is strongly related to poor birth outcomes, which includes low birth weight, preterm birth and growth restrictions (1-3).
This pilot study will gather data from four key areas:
1. Location: where the participants live which will include the housing type, energy efficiency, building height and age, occupant number and employment. This will be taken from planning data and cohort questionnaires.
2. Environmental monitoring: Air quality monitor (AirGradient systems) will be placed in the participants house to measure temperature, humidity, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), Carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) to look at the effects of the indoor air environment on immunological responses during pregnancy.
3. Physiological monitoring: Pregnant women will be asked to wear devices to measure heart rate (HR) and photoplethysmogram (PPG). Blood pressure, body temperature and fetal heart rate will be measured at midwife appointments.
4. Biological sampling of mother and baby: Over five weeks, peripheral blood, saliva, hair, nasal swabs, sweat and urine samples will be taken from the participants for haematological, biochemical and immunological analysis.
5. Placental tissue and umbilical cord: Usually discarded at birth, will be used for biochemical and immunological testing.
We will use this data collected in the winter/spring/autumn months for a feasibility study ahead of further work on the effect of elevated outdoor temperature in the summer and/or air pollution on the biochemical and immunological responses of pregnant women.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0761
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion