2025 WCHRI Summer Student

A closer look at iron deficiency and high blood pressure during pregnancy

For his second WCHRI summer studentship, Navdeep Badhan’s research focused on the combined effects of iron deficiency and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Both are common, but their combined impact on the health of a mother and child is not well understood.

Iron deficiency and high blood pressure can impair the placenta’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, potentially leading to restricted growth. Using an animal model, Badhan examined how these conditions together cause problems in the placenta, such as reduced nutrient transport, inflammation and damage.

“Women's and children’s health are significantly underfunded and underrepresented areas of research. As a young researcher, I am grateful for the opportunity to work in such an impactful field.”

Goals:

• Investigate how iron deficiency affects the placenta in pregnancies with and without high blood pressure.
• Study specific molecules in the placenta that are responsible for transporting nutrients like sugars, fats and proteins.
• Assess inflammation, stress markers and changes in the placenta’s blood vessels.

Potential impact: Badhan’s research could lead to better treatments that protect both mothers’ and babies’ health.

Supervisor: Stephane Bourque, associate professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Funders: Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and Alberta Women’s Health Foundation

Interested in doing research to improve the health of women and/or children? Read more about WCHRI’s training awards for students at all levels and generous grants for researchers.