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AN OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY
Citation:
Mendola, P. AN OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY. Presented at Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, March 22-25, 2004.
Description:
There is substantial public health concern that aspects of the environment adversely impact child health and development. Children may be more vulnerable to environmental threats but little comprehensive research exists to identify which factors are harmful, harmless or helpful. Research with a life-course approach is needed to explore the links between multiple exposures and multiple health outcomes over time.
The National Children's Study will "investigate basic mechanisms of developmental disorders and environmental factors, both risk and protective, that influence health and developmental processes" (Children's Health Act, 2000). A large sample size of approximately 100,000 is planned to allow the evaluation of links between low level environmental exposures, social and behavioral factors with less common outcomes, as well as the interaction between genetics and the environment. The study will focus on children's environmental health themes of major public health concern that are best suited to this type of longitudinal study, such as pregnancy outcomes, neurobehavioral development, asthma, obesity and altered physical development, and injury. Pregnant women from across the United States will be enrolled as early as possible in pregnancy (or before pregnancy) and their children will be evaluated during prenatal development, through birth, childhood, and into adulthood. Strong partnerships between federal and non-federal scientists and community, parent, advocacy, and industry groups are being emphasized throughout the planning process. Planning and organization of the study are underway with a chartered federal advisory committee and working groups considering issues such as hypotheses and study design, ethics, development and behavior, chemical and physical exposures, injuries, emerging technologies to measure exposures and outcomes, and community outreach/participation. This study, similar in importance to the Framingham study and the Women's Helath Initiative, will provide a legacy for future generations on the role of environmental factors on children's health and development, and well-being. Disclaimer: This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.