Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Study
Echo_GAPPS
What is the goal of the study?
PATHWAYS is a new research project under the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program aimed at understanding how children?s health may be affected by conditions faced by their mothers during pregnancy -- specifically, chemicals in the environment (including air, water and food) and stressful conditions or experiences, such as poverty, hardship, or tragic events. We are investigating whether these pregnancy exposures are linked to problems in child development by following a group of thousands of mother-child pairs over several years, from pregnancy through childhood. We will focus on two aspects of child health: respiratory health (including asthma and similar airway conditions) and neurodevelopment, which includes the health of children?s nervous systems as well as their emotional, social, and behavioral well-being. Our overall objective is to determine whether exposure to stress or chemicals, alone or in combination, during a mother?s pregnancy is associated with more respiratory or neurodevelopment problems in her child across childhood. We will also investigate the specific molecular events that may be responsible for any associations.
Who can participate in the study?
Please contact the study team listed below to learn more.