Magenta_v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Maternal and pregnancy health and elevated heat
IRAS ID
350062
Contact name
Cathy Thornton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Our Study, MAGENTA is looking to address gaps in our knowledge of how excessive heat, especially in unacclimatised areas can affect maternal, fetal and child health in most 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. This study builds on the data gathered in winter and spring on pregnant women having no heat exposure during sampling.
This study will gather data from five 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 monitors (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 the course of 3-4 months, samples will be taken before heat exposure, at the peak of the heatwave and up to 2 weeks later. These will include peripheral blood, saliva, hair, sweat and urine samples for haematological, biochemical and immunological analysis.
5. Placental tissue and umbilical cord: Usually discarded at birth, will be used for biochemical and immunological testing.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0126
Date of REC Opinion
11 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion