How extreme heat during pregnancy affects children's blood pressure

Effects of Gestational Exposure to Extreme Heat and Heat Vulnerability on Early Life Blood Pressure Trajectories

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11164908

This study is looking at how being exposed to really hot weather during pregnancy might affect kids' blood pressure as they grow up, and it wants to see how things like where you live and your community can change that impact.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11164908 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of extreme heat exposure during pregnancy on the blood pressure of children in early life. It aims to understand how neighborhood conditions, such as built and social environments, influence this relationship. By analyzing data from a regional birth cohort, the study will track blood pressure trends in children and assess how socioeconomic factors may modify the effects of heat exposure. The findings could provide insights into public health strategies to protect vulnerable populations from heat-related health issues.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals living in areas prone to extreme heat, as well as their children who are being monitored for blood pressure changes.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are not within the early childhood age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions to protect children's cardiovascular health in the face of rising temperatures.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on heat exposure and children's cardiovascular health, studies have shown that extreme heat can adversely affect health outcomes, indicating potential for significant findings in this area.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.