Reproductive health and the National Children's Study

Background: The National Children's Study (NCS) will be one of the largest and most comprehensive health studies ever conducted in the U.S. It will examine the environmental, biologic, behavioral, and genetic correlates of pregnancy outcomes and the health and development of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Methods: The NCS is an observational study that will be conducted in 105 U.S. locations. Enrollment of a representative sample of 100,000 women and their offspring began in January 2009. Maternal data will be collected throughout pregnancy, beginning in the first trimester, and in the postpartum period. The offspring will be followed from fetal life to 21 years of age.

Implications: There are many unknown correlates of reproductive health behaviors and conditions. The NCS will identify the environmental, social, and health-care factors that contribute to women meeting their reproductive goals. Given its large sample size, and the comprehensiveness of data collection, the NCS will: (1) describe the social and environmental challenges and resources of pregnant women; (2) provide population-level estimates of women at risk for pregnancy; (3) examine the contraceptive histories and romantic relationship patterns of pregnant women; (4) identify the general health, health care access and quality, behaviors, social supports, environmental exposures, employment patterns, and mobility of pregnant women; (5) provide prospective data on environmental exposures and sexual maturation of the offspring; and (6) describe the environmental, social, and behavioral antecedents of sexual health behaviors and reproductive conditions among the offspring.