An exciting new research project is being launched by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to track the health and wellbeing of children and adults.
The project christened BABY - Born and Bred in Yorkshire - is a partnership between midwives and doctors at York Hospital and researchers at Hull York Medical School and in the Department of Health Sciences, University of York.
It will follow a large group of babies and their parents from pregnancy onwards - the hospital began recruiting expectant parents in the summer and the first babies in the study are due to be born at Christmas.
The study aims to find out as much as possible about the health and wellbeing of babies born in and around York, and their parents, during pregnancy, labour and after birth, as well as at intervals in the future.
BABY will also help the NHS and health researchers to investigate the health and wellbeing of children and adults in future, by building the necessary infrastructure now. Data will be collected on clinical outcomes including both mental and physical health and infant and child health and wellbeing.
Principal Investigator Professor Simon Gilbody, of the University of York and Hull York Medical School, says: "This is a very important development for the people of York. Only by recruiting large numbers of mothers and infants can we begin to learn about what keeps people healthy, and what causes important childhood and adult diseases.
"We aim to study physical and psychological wellbeing over a very long period of time. This study demonstrates what can happen when the University, the NHS and the people of York work together. We would like to thank in advance all those who give their time to this project. The study will enhance still further York's reputation for health research, and will bring benefits for years to come."
Women whose babies are due to be born in York and the surrounding area during the next 12 months are invited to take part. They will be given an information pack shortly after their first scan. It is likely to cover up to 3,500 mothers and babies. Women who join the study may also invite their partners to join.
Elizabeth Ross, maternity matron, at York Teaching Hospital, says "We are committed to continually improving the care and services we offer to pregnant women and their families. By engaging in a large research project like BABY we will be able to collect information from families that will help us achieve our aims. We hope lots of women choose to take part in this useful project.
"The midwives in York are very supportive of the study and are encouraging all pregnant women to join in. We are thrilled to be part of a project that will follow our Yorkshire-born babies into adulthood and look forward to the research findings as we continue to strive towards providing the best evidence-based care to mothers and babies."
Dr Guy Millman, Consultant Paediatrician based at York Teaching Hospital says: "The BABY study is an exciting collaboration between the academic and health communities in York and the surrounding area. It will provide invaluable data for the research group to help study health and disease in our community over the coming years."
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