Rhode Island Children's Health Cohort — expanded follow-up and data sharing
Enriching the Rhode Island Child Health Study
This project expands and maintains a group of Rhode Island mothers and children so researchers can link environmental exposures and placenta changes to child growth and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228766 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They are maintaining and growing the Rhode Island Children's Health cohort of about 840 mother–child pairs to support long-term follow-up into middle childhood and beyond. The team will collect health and developmental information, link it to past and new environmental exposure data, and use stored placenta samples and molecular data to explore biological pathways. They will improve data management and share de-identified data with other scientists while also offering training for early-career researchers. Families in the original cohort may be invited for follow-up visits, and new ancillary studies may be added over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Best suited to families from the original Rhode Island/Southeastern Massachusetts cohort (children now about 9–14 years old) or similar local families willing to provide health information and biospecimens.
Not a fit: People outside the recruitment region, adults without child health concerns, or anyone unwilling to share health data or biospecimens are unlikely to participate or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify environmental risks and placental markers tied to child growth and neurodevelopment, guiding prevention and future care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous RICHS work has led to many publications and grants demonstrating links between placental molecular changes and newborn outcomes, so this approach builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marsit, Carmen Joseph — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Marsit, Carmen Joseph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.