News and Research Findings
from Across the ECHO Program
| | | NIH ECHO Symposium: Translating Science to Action
A new study found exposure to 34 chemicals in 90% of samples from children and mothers | | Recent ECHO results: Vitamin D and cognition; Low-food-access neighborhoods and asthma; Air pollution and autism-related outcomes | | ECHO participants, investigators featured in The Washington Post
Past ECHO Discovery webinars | | | |
I am happy to announce that ECHO has made 19 awards totaling over $13 million for FY 2026 for the ECHO Institutional Development Award (IDeA) States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN).
These awards support institutions located in 18 IDeA eligible states to serve as Clinical Sites and a Data Coordinating and Operations Center (DCOC) for the ISPCTN.
Each clinical site will:
- Develop, conduct, and disseminate findings from multicenter pediatric clinical trials that ensure the participation of children living in rural or underserved communities in IDeA states;
- Build pediatric clinical trial research capacity within these IDeA states;
- Engage communities, nonprofit organizations, and professional societies to enhance clinical trial impact, transferability, rigor, and feasibility.
The DCOC will serve as the central hub for the ISPCTN, providing essential leadership and infrastructure for the network.
ECHO funded these awards after a competitive peer review process. View a list of awardees.
Matthew Gillman, MD, SM
Director of the ECHO Program
| | | Translating Science to Action on Monday | | |
Please join us for the inaugural ECHO Symposium: Translating Science to Action on September 15 at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and online (watch via live videocast). This free, one-day event will bring together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, community leaders, and more to explore how early environmental factors influence child health—and how we can translate science into meaningful action.
Agenda highlights include:
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Keynote Address by Dr. Susan Kressly, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
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Opening remarks by Dr. Matt Gillman, Director of the NIH ECHO Program and by former ECHO Cohort Participant, Jadine Benjamin
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Closing address by Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer of the March of Dimes
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Three dynamic sessions featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for audience Q&A. Visit event website for details.
Whether you join us in person or online, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in Q&As, connect with thought leaders, and help advance solutions to improve the health of children for generations to come!
| | ECHO Participants, Investigators Featured in The Washington Post | |
The Washington Post recently featured the ECHO Program in a story on phthalates and how these chemicals may affect babies’ development during pregnancy. This topic will also be featured at the upcoming ECHO Symposium on September 15, where Dr. Leonardo Trasande will present on phthalate exposure in pregnancy and early childhood. Chemical exposures will be a focus at the Cassondra Perez will also speak during the third session on her experience as an ECHO participant.
| | Young Children Show Widespread Exposure to Environmental Chemicals | | |
Children had higher levels of certain replacement chemicals compared to their mothers during pregnancy.
Young children are exposed to a wide range of environmental chemicals, including some emerging and replacement chemicals, according to ECHO Cohort research measuring early childhood exposures. This study found that children aged 2 to 4 years often had higher levels of certain chemicals compared to their mothers during pregnancy, highlighting potential risks for future health.
Researchers measured 111 different chemicals in urine samples from 201 children and their mothers from six ECHO Cohort study sites across the United States. More than half of the children’s samples contained multiple chemicals, such as environmental phenols, pesticides, phthalates, and markers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Approximately 34 chemicals were found in over 90% of the samples, including nine of which have not been included in U.S. national biomonitoring.
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Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Play a Role in Children's Cognitive Development
Researchers found that children whose mothers had higher vitamin D levels while pregnant tended to perform better on cognitive tests assessing skills like problem-solving and processing new information at ages 7 to 12.
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Living in Low-Income, Low-Food-Access Neighborhoods Linked to Higher Risk of Childhood Asthma
Living in a low-income neighborhood with low food access was associated with higher risks of developing asthma for both cumulative early (age 0-5 years) and cumulative middle (age 0-11 years) childhood, with stronger associations observed for cumulative early childhood.
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Exposure to Air Pollution During Pregnancy Associated with Higher Risk for Autism-Related Outcomes
Prenatal exposure to ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide was associated with autism-related traits and increased odds of autism spectrum disorder.
| | ECHO Discovery is a monthly webinar series with educational presentations for the ECHO community and anyone else interested in environmental influences on child health. | | Past ECHO Discovery webinars | | |
September
Early Childhood BMI Trajectories and Weight Status Lability
In September, Chang Liu, PhD, of Washington State University presented findings from three studies using data from thousands of children in the ECHO cohort to examine early childhood BMI development and its implications for future health risks.
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August
Predictors of Child Eating and Parental Feeding in the ECHO Cohort
In August, Maxwell Mansolf, PhD, of Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine presented findings from a study including over 3,500 children from the ECHO Cohort to examine child eating behavior and parental feeding practices.
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