Japan Environment and Childrenʼs Study

Abstract

S-31C2-1 Background/Aims: Ministry of Environment of Japan is planning to launch a nation-wide birth cohort study (Japan Environment and Children's Study; [JECS]) in 2010. The study protocols have been decided by the working group of JECS. Methods: The study structure is composed of a core center, a medical support center, and a dozen of unit centers. Around 10 working hypotheses are proposed to clarify the effects of the exposure to chemical and physical environmental factors on the health and development of children in Japan. Each unit center registers maternity hospitals in its study areas as many as possible, and participants (pregnant women) are recruited at their first visit at the hospitals. Results: Around 100,000 pregnant women will be recruited between 2010 and 2012 for 3 years. Their children are observed from fetus to age 12. In order to evaluate the exposure to environmental factors, we are going to measure heavy metals, POPs, pesticides, and so on in biospecimens from mother and their children besides questionnaires or interviews. The targeted outcomes are physical development (low birth weight, developmental retardation, etc.), congenital anomalies (hypospadias, cryptorchidism, cleft palate, GI obstruction, ventricular septal defect, Down syndrome, etc.), psychoneurodevelopment impairments: autism (learning disorder), ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc), immunologic impairments (allergy, atopic dermatitis, asthma, etc), metabolic/endocrinologic impairments (genital hypoplasia, brain sexual differentiation, thyroid dysfunction, impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, etc.). Conclusion: The study results obtained from JECS will be published at an appropriate time.