U plans far, far ahead for study of kids, illness

By Maura Lerner, Star Tribune

Last update: October 4, 2007 - 9:45 PM

As a scientist, Pat McGovern of the University of Minnesota knows that this is a rather unusual research project. Her study subjects haven't even been born yet. And the project itself will last until at least 2029.

But McGovern, a professor of environmental health, and her colleagues have just been awarded $14 million to help answer some of the most perplexing questions in medicine: Just what role do genes and the environment play in common illnesses?

On Thursday, the university was named as one of 22 research centers to join in the National Children's Study, an ambitious government project designed to follow 100,000 children from before birth until they reach the age of majority.

For their part, McGovern and her team plan to study 1,000 Ramsey County children, sampling everything from the air they breathe and the food they eat to the dust in their homes. If all goes according to plan, the scientists will enroll women who are pregnant or haven't even conceived yet. And they hope to stay in touch until the offspring turn 21.

"It's such a landmark study," McGovern said. Her team plans to start recruiting volunteers in 2008 in various neighborhoods in Ramsey County. They hope to attract a wide range of participants, and will tap community leaders and others to help find them, she said

The goal, she said, is to follow the children to see who develops learning disabilities, asthma, obesity and other conditions, and to find out what factors, if any, they have in common. They plan to test 30 hypotheses, such as whether air pollution or stress during pregnancy might cause asthma; or if infant formula and low-fiber diets increase the risk of obesity.

McGovern knows it may be asking a lot to stick with a program for two decades. Families will be offered incentives -- such as $50 for each face-to-face visit -- to participate. But McGovern says money isn't the only motivation.

"I think the reason people typically engage in science is they think it's going to make a difference in people's well-being," she said. "Although your children may not directly benefit, perhaps their children will."

Maura Lerner • 612-673-7384

Maura Lerner • mlerner@startribune.com

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