CHOP Growth Study

I recently signed Wes up to be a part of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Growing Up Study. The goal of this study is to create new growth charts for children with Down syndrome since the old charts are rather outdated. The study has been around for the past 3 years and is in its fourth and final year. If you live in the Philadelphia region, "stand up and be counted!"

Anyway, today was our first of four visits for Wes to be measured. Out of the 560 kids in the study, Wes is the smallest. Waynitra, the project coordinator for the study, was amazing with Wes! She just adored him, but I'm not gonna lie - little man was hating every second of it. As usual, he didn't cry much, but man did he give us the stink eye!

To participate in the study, your child needs to be between 0-20 years old. It only takes about 10-15 minutes, four times per year even though it says an hour on the informational sheet. At each visit someone  asks questions about behavior and current health, and measures the following three times:

• Head to rump length
• Head to foot length
• Full arm length
• Upper arm length
• Upper arm width
• Head width
• Fat on upper bicep
• Fat on upper tricep
• Fat on back
• Weight

In conversation with Waynitra about what they've found so far, they've noticed that the kids the the study have been thinner and taller than what has been typically found in the general population. What she thinks are factors are education level in parents in the region (knowledgeable about Ds - i.e. potential thyroid issues caught earlier, knowledgeable about potential health concerns before they occur) and higher SES (access to healthier foods and athletics).

If you happen to live in the Philadelphia area and have 4 times out of a year to participate in the study, make sure to do so! They'll compensate you for your time ($25 + $5 Target card) which is helpful for diapers, gas money, etc. LOL! What's even better is that you're helping your fellow friends in the Down syndrome community.  

Of course... happy baby picture!