Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal
(pregnancy and birth)
Upper and Lower Airway (breathing)
Obesity
(body weight)
Neurodevelopment
(brain development)
Positive Health
(well-being)Pregnancy and birth
ECHO researchers use data from more than 64,000 diverse children and their families across the U.S. to investigate the pre-, peri-, and postnatal periods. In addition, the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN) conducts clinical trials focused on pre-, peri-, and postnatal health, among other areas of health.
ECHO Discovery
Webinar Recordings
Prenatal Substance Exposure and DNA Methylation in Children
Microbiomes of Pregnancy and Infancy: Implications for Child Health Outcomes
Pregnancy and
Birth Resources
CDC: Pregnancy
Contains facts and information on staying healthy during pregnancy.
MedlinePlus: Premature Babies
Provides information, links, and resources to help understand premature babies and the health issues that they may face. Shares tips and support for parents of premature babies.
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 Pre-, Peri-, and Postnatal Health
The ECHO Program investigates factors that can influence child health outcomes before, during, and just after birth. These factors include environmental exposures during pregnancy, a pregnant woman's physical and mental health, and whether there are pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. The program also looks at how exposure to opioids can affect child health outcomes.
Many factors before, during, and just after birth can influence child health outcomes. These factors can affect birth outcomes such as preterm birth or being born small for gestational age. They can also affect outcomes later in childhood, like how well they breathe, how much they weigh, how their brain develops, and how healthy they are overall. In addition, studying the pre-, peri-, and postnatal periods can give researchers insight into factors that affect the health of mothers and babies and contribute to health disparities.
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 the pre-, peri-, and postnatal periods.
Here are some research highlights:
Exposure to Common Type of Pesticide During Pregnancy Was Not Linked to Autism-Related Traits in Children
August 24, 2026
Higher prenatal exposure to common organophosphate pesticides was not associated with an increase in autism-related social and behavioral traits in children.
Exposure to Metals During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Autism-Related Traits in Children
July 21, 2026
Exposure to higher levels of certain metals in mothers’ blood during pregnancy was linked to a slight increase in autism-related traits and higher odds of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in children.
Following U.S. Dietary Guidelines During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Differences in Chemical Exposure
July 8, 2026
Adhering to U.S. Dietary Guidelines during pregnancy reduced levels of several food-packaging and environmental chemicals, but increased levels of certain pesticides and preservatives.
Exposure to Multiple Chemicals During Pregnancy Associated with Adverse Birth Outcomes(opens in new tab)
June 17, 2026
Exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy was linked to differences in gestational age and birthweight.
Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy May Be Associated with Increased Childhood Blood Pressure, ECHO Study Finds
February 16, 2026
Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have higher blood pressure and a greater risk of hypertension during childhood and adolescence.
Exposure to PM2.5 Air Pollution During Pregnancy Associated with Lower Birthweight, ECHO Study Finds
February 6, 2026
Exposure to higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution during the first weeks of pregnancy is associated with lower birth weight and an increased risk of infants being born small for gestational age.
ECHO Study Investigates Relationship Between Chemical Exposures, Pregnancy Stress, & Birth Outcomes
January 7, 2026
Exposure to common consumer and industrial chemicals was associated with shorter pregnancies and lower birthweights, particularly among women who also experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression.