CIHR-IHDCYH invests in new reproductive, child and youth health data analysis projects

Researchers across the country will use existing data and biospecimen resources to carry out innovative research

The CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) in partnership with the Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) is pleased to announce an investment of $750,000 to fund 10 one-year research projects that will use existing data and biospecimens to answer novel research questions and test innovative hypotheses that have the potential to improve reproductive, child and youth health outcomes.

A significant amount of research investment has been made to establish multiple patient cohorts and databases within Canada. These resources have the potential to answer research questions that go beyond those for which the data or samples were originally collected.

"Already established cohorts and databases offer a wealth of resources to support new and innovative research in reproductive, child and youth health," says Dr. Christine Chambers, Scientific Director, IHDCYH. "By funding these projects we are creating new connections and building on strong foundations." 

The funded investigators will conduct research within IHDCYH’s six research investment themes: Developmental Origins of Health and Disease through the Lifespan; Preterm Birth; Environmental Health; Healthy Pregnancy; Integrated Child and Youth Research and Health Services; and/or Mental Health.

The funded projects include:

  • Dr. Kawsari Abdullah and Dr. Amy Plint at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, who will evaluate the risk of asthma at age 5 and 10 years in children diagnosed with bronchiolitis during infancy. (Funded by III)
  • Dr. Andrea Benedetti and Dr. Brett Thombs at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, who will study depression trajectories in pregnant and postpartum women.
  • Dr. Magdalena Janus and Dr. Astrid Guttmann at McMaster University and ICES, who will investigate why some children with early health problems start school without being flagged in the healthcare system, thus missing an opportunity to benefit from early intervention.
  • Dr. Catherine Lebel at the University of Calgary, who will determine how prenatal maternal physical activity is related to the structure and function of young children's brains.
  • Dr. Sarka Lisonkova at University of British Columbia, who will study the health and developmental trajectories of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
  • Dr. Sheri Madigan and Dr. Sarah Edwards at University of Calgary, who will investigate the social and emotional determinants of child health in pediatric primary care.
  • Dr. Sarah McDonald, Dr. K.S. Joseph, Dr. Prakeshkumar Shah at McMaster University, UBC and Sinai Health System, who will investigate the outcomes of extremely preterm infants born by cesarean section compared with vaginal birth.
  • Dr. Wendy Norman at University of British Columbia, who will assess the modifiers and mediators of short interpregnancy interval and risk of subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • Dr. Teresa To and Dr. Cornelia Borkhoff at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto), who will create a birth cohort of infants and their siblings and mothers from existing pediatric cohorts linked with health administrative data to study prenatal, postnatal and early childhood factors associated with maternal and child health and developmental outcomes. (Funded by IHDCYH and III)
  • Dr. Andraea Van Hulst and Dr. Katherine Mary Morrison at McGill University, who will conduct research into whether the environments that children live in matter to their success in weight management programs.
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