Image Viewer

 Content Editor

​Understanding Extreme Heat Effects on Maternal, Fetal, and Newborn Health

​Investigators:

The Principal Investigator for this project is Dr. Jai Das, Assistant Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University. Dr. Zainab Samad, a Professor & Chair in the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University, and Dr. Lumaan Sheikh, Associate Professor & Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Aga Khan University, join as Co-Principal Investigators alongside Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Distinguished University Professor & Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development.​

​​

​Project Aims:

This Wellcome Trust-funded initiative investigates the biological vulnerability and effects of extreme heat exposure on maternal, fetal, and newborn health. By analyzing existing clinical data and conducting a prospective cohort study, the project seeks to unravel the complex pathways linking extreme heat to adverse health outcomes.

​​

​Objectives:

  • ​Understand the biological effects of heat exposure on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
  • Evaluate direct and indirect biological pathways impacted by heat stress during pregnancy, considering factors such as gestational age.
  • Examine the combined effects of heat events, demographics, work during pregnancy, household air pollution, and undernutrition on maternal/fetal/newborn health.


Planned Activities:

  1. ​Analysis of Existing Data and Biological Repositories: Utilize consortium expertise, datasets, and laboratory specimens to establish linked cohorts, exploring the relationship between heat exposure and pregnancy complications, including stillbirths, preterm births, and perinatal mortality.
  2. Prospective Two-Centre Cohort Study: Conduct a population-based birth cohort study, studying environmental heat measurements, physiological changes during pregnancy, fetal growth, and birth outcomes, with a focus on rural and peri-urban populations in Pakistan.


Supported By/Associated Grant:

This project is supported by the funding from Wellcome Trust.


Status:

Active 


More About the Project/Related Content:

(News articles, Publications, Research Papers, videos, images)

News

News Image 1

Experts discuss the im​pact of health and climate change in Pakistan


News Image 2

Challenges of climate change, health, and nutrition in Pakistan

News Image 3

Experts raise the alarm on growing water insecurity in Pakistan


​Publications

PDF Thumbnail 1

Global strategies and local implementation of health and health-related SDGs: lessons from consultation in countries across five regions 

PDF Thumbnail 2

What will it take to implement health and health-related sustainable development goals? | ​​​​​​​​

​​​

Events​

Event Image 1

Climate Change and Health: Impact of Extreme Heat on Women and Children & Possible Solutions​​

 ​​​

Event Image 2

Climate Change and Water-related Challenges in Pakistan: Tangible Solutions​​​

 ​​​

Event Image 3

Pakistan’s Challenges of Climate Change, Health, and Nutrition​​​​

 ​​​