One hundred babies in San Diego have been selected to take part in a massive nationwide study of children's health. The study will closely follow babies from birth to 21 years of age.
The National Children's Study hopes to eventually enroll 100,000 kids throughout the country.
UC San Diego professor of pediatrics Tina Chambers is directing the local wing of the project. She said researchers will not only collect blood and other biological samples, but they'll also take samples of air and dust in the kids' environments.
Chambers said the study has a lofty goal.
"To look at all aspects of the child's pre- and post-natal environment, and how those might influence health, so that we can answer questions that we have right now, and ones that we haven't even thought of," Chambers said.
Chambers pointed out the study will be the most comprehensive look at children's health and development in U.S. history.
