Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal
(pregnancy and birth)
Upper and Lower Airway (breathing)
Obesity
(body weight)
Neurodevelopment
(brain development)
Positive Health
(well-being)Brain Development
ECHO researchers use data from more than 64,000 diverse children and their families across the U.S. to examine how much factors such as chemical exposures, environmental hazards, social stressors, maternal health during pregnancy, and other considerations may influence neurodevelopment.
ECHO Discovery
Webinar Recordings
Incorporating Early Life Micronutrient Status in ECHO studies of Neurodevelopment
Neurodevelopment Resources
CDC: Children's Mental Health
Shares articles on child mental health, including information on emotional development and child mental health disorders.
MedlinePlus: School-Age Children Development
Provides information on the development of school-age children, including physical development, behavior, language development, and parenting tips.
QUESTIONS
For information or to request an interview, contact the ECHO Program Coordinating Center echocc@dm.duke.edu.
If you are not a member of the media, but have a general inquiry, please contact NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.
How ECHO Advances Research on Children's Neurodevelopment
The prenatal period and childhood are critical times for brain development or neurodevelopment, but this important process continues during adolescence until early adulthood. Understanding the associations between environmental factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes can inform prevention efforts, interventions, and other strategies to enhance child health.
Healthy brain development is key for cognitive, physical, and social functioning. ECHO research can help explain the factors that impact neurodevelopment in children and how neurodevelopment might have additional effects on other health outcomes. This research can help inform programs, policies, and practices that address health differences from the beginning, promoting a lifetime of good health that continues for generations.
What We're Learning
Since its launch, the ECHO Program has published more than 2,200 research articles on a wide range of child health topics. Within this body of work, many studies have examined neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Here are some research highlights:
Exposure to Certain Flame-retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy May Be Linked with Decreased Cognitive Function in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds
February 1, 2026
Higher prenatal levels of a certain flame-retardant were associated with slightly lower cognitive scores in children ages 4–6.
Perceived Stress During Pregnancy Associated with Autism-related Traits in Children, ECHO Study Finds
March 2, 2026
Higher perceived stress during pregnancy was associated with slightly more severe autism-related traits in children.
Exposure to Certain Flame-retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy May Be Linked with Decreased Cognitive Function in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds
February 1, 2026
Prenatal exposure to certain organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants is associated with minor decreases in cognitive function in children aged 4 to 6.
Toddler Emotional and Behavioral Problems Decreased Slightly During Pandemic, ECHO Study Finds
September 2025
Children who grew up during the pandemic showed slightly fewer emotional and behavioral problems than those born before it.
Exposure to Common Flame-Retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy May Be Associated with Behavioral Issues in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds
August 2025
Prenatal exposure to certain flame retardant chemicals, including BBOEP and BCPP, was linked to more emotional and behavioral problems in some young children.
Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates, But Not Phthalate Replacements, Linked to Children’s Behavior, ECHO Study Finds
August 2025
Higher prenatal levels of certain phthalates were linked to small increases in aggression and attention problems in young children, with effects varying by sex and neighborhood, while other phthalates and replacements showed no clear associations.