The project is being funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). The participation of the mother, father and future child starts right from the onset of pregnancy and finishes when the child is two years old. Parents are asked to provide information on their environment and life style as well as biological samples that make it possible to measure, for instance, environmental contaminants and genetic factors that may affect health. Children will be monitored to evaluate their growth and development indices. The databank and samples will enable researchers to identify factors that contribute toward the proper development of the fetus and child and identify risk factors for developmental issues.

"With this one of a kind large-scale longitudinal study, we will be able to identify the effects of several environmental aspects on fetal development," stated Dr. Michael Kramer, the scientific director of the CIHR's Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health.

Source: SAINTE-JUSTINE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER