Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development (nichd)

This study tested whether the drug pegvisomant could safely control excess growth hormone in children with gigantism, a rare condition causing abnormal growth. Twelve children and teens, for whom standard treatments hadn't worked, received daily injections of the drug for one yea…

This study tested whether a low daily dose of colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug used for gout, could improve how the body processes sugar in people with obesity. Researchers enrolled 152 adults and adolescents who were overweight, had signs of body-wide inflammation, and high…

This study tested a new, non-invasive wearable device designed to screen for and monitor respiratory diseases like COVID-19. Researchers had 40 healthy adults wear the device while performing breathing exercises to see if it could accurately measure vital signs like breathing rat…

This study aimed to better understand a group of rare genetic disorders where the body cannot properly make or process cholesterol. Researchers collected blood, urine, tissue samples, and medical information from 342 people with these conditions or their family members. The goal …

This study tested whether a safe, light-based brain scanner could be a useful tool for studying rare neurocognitive disorders. Researchers compared brain activity in 73 people, including children and adults with specific rare disorders and healthy volunteers. Participants wore a …

This study aimed to evaluate children with known or suspected genetic disorders while providing hands-on training for medical staff. Researchers enrolled 96 children of any age to perform medical exams, genetic testing, and other evaluations to gather data and improve research me…

This study aimed to better understand Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), a rare genetic disorder that affects development. Researchers observed 130 patients with SLOS and their mothers to learn about the disease's progression and to see if adding cholesterol to the diet could hel…

This study aimed to understand how health habits form and change as teenagers grow into young adults. Researchers followed over 4,900 U.S. students from 10th grade for seven years, collecting annual surveys about their health, behaviors, and environment. The goal was to identify …

This study aimed to understand how a mother's depression affects her interactions with her baby and the child's early development. Researchers observed and filmed 701 mothers (some depressed, some not) playing with their infants at home and in a lab when the babies were 5, 12, an…

This study aimed to understand how a mother's age, work status, and parenting experience affect her interactions with her baby and the child's later development. Researchers observed over 2,300 mother-infant pairs when the babies were 5 months old, then checked in on the children…

This study aimed to understand how a rare genetic condition called osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) progresses over time in children and young adults. Researchers followed 88 participants from birth up to age 25 to observe how the disease affects walking, growth, bo…

This study aimed to understand the genetic basis and family patterns of several rare, related conditions. Researchers studied over 1,300 patients and family members with conditions like Carney Complex, which involves skin spots, hormone problems, and non-cancerous tumors. The goa…

This study aimed to better understand bone-related connective tissue disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease). It enrolled 180 people with suspected conditions and their family members for evaluation using standard tests like exams, X-rays, and blood draws. T…

This study aimed to learn more about osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder that causes fragile bones and short stature. Researchers observed 46 children, from birth to age 12, over several years to see how the disease naturally progresses. The goal was to understand ho…

This study aimed to understand how early life experiences with parents and friends influence the quality of romantic relationships in young adulthood. Researchers followed up with 259 young adults from a long-running childhood study and their live-in partners. Participants comple…

This study aimed to understand how and why tumors form in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. Researchers enrolled 690 people, aged 3 to 70, with known or suspected adrenal tumors to learn why some tumors produce hormones and others don't, and why some are benign…

This study tested a new, less cumbersome method for continuously monitoring blood pressure. Researchers wanted to see if a new light-based sensor placed on a finger or toe could measure blood pressure changes as accurately as older methods. They tested this on 40 healthy adults b…