The effects of air pollution on birthweight in pregnant women in Chennai, India.
Official title: PRENATAL FINE PARTICULATE MATTER (PM2.5) AND POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH) EXPOSURES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH BIRTHWEIGHT IN SOUTHERN INDIA
Funded at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust · NIH-10879106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how air pollution, specifically tiny particles and certain chemicals, might affect the weight of babies at birth, and it's for pregnant women in Chennai who want to understand how their environment could impact their baby's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chennai, India) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $61,690 |
| NIH project number | 5K43TW011408-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women residing in Chennai, particularly those in their third trimester.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those living outside of Chennai may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during pregnancy affects the birthweight of newborns. By establishing a cohort of 300 pregnant women in Chennai, the study will monitor air pollution levels and measure biomarkers to assess the impact on fetal development. The findings aim to fill the knowledge gap regarding the health risks posed by air pollution in urban India, particularly for expectant mothers and their babies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health policies and interventions to reduce air pollution exposure for pregnant women, potentially resulting in healthier birth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant associations between air pollution exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes in other regions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust
Chennai, India Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puttaswamy, Naveen — Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust
- Study coordinator: Puttaswamy, Naveen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.