Welcome to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Study Center for the National Children's Study. The CHOP Study Center, along with six other Study Centers across the country, was selected to lead the implementation of the National Children's Study. The Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. By following children through the age of 21 years, Study researchers hope to learn about the causes of health conditions such as injuries, asthma, pregnancy-related problems, obesity, diabetes, and behavior, learning, and mental health disorders.

The CHOP Study Center is responsible for conducting the National Children's Study in two Pennsylvania counties. The CHOP Study Center is home to a team of scientists, data collection experts, and staff to support these efforts. This Web site provides more information about the Study Center and the Study locations where we will be working.

Founded in 1855, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was the first children's hospital established in the United States, and the second in the world. The hospital has a long tradition of being involved in research and was the first children's hospital to initiate a research department devoted to both clinical and basic research. The CHOP Study Center for the National Children's Study is proud to be conducting research that will contribute to the hospital's commitment to improve child health.