NIH selects Case Western Reserve University to participate in National Childr...(ute of Child Health and Human Developmen...)

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine will recruit participants from two study sitesone in Cuyahoga County and one in Lorain County (exact location sites are TBD), collecting genetic, biological, and environmental samples, and compiling statistical information for study analyses investigating how genetic and environmental factors influence health and disease.

"Having two study locations operating side by side brings economies of scale to the study," said Bearer. "Rather than have one person work part-time for one location, that same person can work full-time for both study locations. In addition, twice the number of children will be enrolled and studied for a local perspective of what's important to make them healthy."

At the briefing today, NIH officials stated that the study would yield health information throughout its 25 year span. Within just a few years, the study would provide information on disorders of pregnancy and birth. Since women would be recruited before they give birth, and in some instances even before they become pregnant, the study would provide insight into the causes and contributors of preterm birth.

More than 500,000 premature infants are born each year in the United States. Infants born prematurely are at risk for early death and a variety of health problems, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning disabilities. Health care costs for preterm infants total $26 billion per year.

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