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Maternal and child health

Improving maternal and child health

Our maternal and child health researchers are experts in clinical psychology, clinical medicine and epidemiology. We rely on strong relationships with pediatrics and OB/GYN health care leaders interested in research. These relationships enhance the work we do and help bring research to patients. Many studies are focused on vaccine safety, childhood and adult obesity, maternal mental health, and pediatric health.

Investigators

Key projects

Improve Blood Pressure Management in Adolescents through EHR-Based Clinical Decision Support.

We are using clinical decision support tools to recognize and manage early elevated blood pressure in teens. This study is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Early Environmental Stressors and Emerging Cardiometabolic Risk

This study examines the ways that environmental stressors in early childhood affect later cardiometabolic risk. We are looking to identify protective factors (skills, resources, coping strategies) associated with improved health outcomes. This project is funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It is being conducted in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

Mothers and Infants Linked for Healthy Growth (MILK)

The purpose of this study is to learn more about how breast milk is related to mother and infant weight gain and body composition (the amount of muscle and fat in your body). This study is in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

Healthy Kids After Cancer

We are assessing the effect of phone-delivered nutrition and physical activity programs targeted at parents. The purpose is to prevent unhealthy weight gain among childhood leukemia survivors. This pilot study is being conducted in partnership with Children’s Minnesota, the University of Minnesota and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Oral Corticosteroid Use and Risk for Preterm Birth

We are assessing the risk of preterm birth associated with oral corticosteroid use during pregnancy in women with autoimmune diseases. We will develop a tool to help clinicians counsel pregnant women who may use these medications. It is funded by a NICHD Career Development Award.

EHR-based Decision Support for Pediatric Acute Abdominal Pain in Emergency Care

We are implementing and evaluating an electronic decision support system to improve care for children with acute abdominal pain. This is in collaboration with our partners at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota and Kaiser Northern California. This study is funded by NICHD.

 Key publications