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[The Environment and Childhood Research Network ("INMA" network): study protocol].
Rosa Ramón1, Ferràn Ballester, Marisa Rebagliato
1Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante. rmramon@umh.es
Revista Espanola De Salud Publica
|May 26, 2005
Summary
Prenatal and early childhood diet and toxic substance exposure significantly impact lifelong health. The Cooperative Environment and Childhood Research Network tracks these effects in 3,600 Spanish children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Context:
- Growing evidence links early-life environmental exposures to long-term health outcomes.
- International recommendations (WHO, EU, 2003) spurred research into environmental and dietary influences on child development.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of diet and toxic substance exposure on fetal and early childhood development.
- To characterize individual exposures to environmental toxins during critical developmental periods.
- To explore interactions between toxic, nutritional, and genetic factors affecting child development.
Summary:
- The Cooperative Environment and Childhood Research Network prospectively follows 3,600 pregnant women and their children up to ages 4-6.
- Utilizes multidisciplinary approaches, integrating data from questionnaires, clinical records, biomarkers, and environmental measurements.
- Comprises six cohorts across Spain, with data collection at multiple time points from gestation through early childhood.
Impact:
- Provides crucial data for understanding developmental origins of health and disease.
- Informs public health policies aimed at mitigating risks from environmental toxins and optimizing nutrition.
- Establishes a foundation for future research on environmental influences on lifelong well-being.