Dysmorphology Assessment Instrument Development Study

2011

The Dysmorphology Assessment Instrument (DAI) development project is being carried out through the Pacific Northwest Center for the National Children‟s Study. The National Children‟s Study (NCS) is a large multi-site longitudinal study which will examine the effects of multiple aspects of the environment on the growth, development, and health of children across the nation. Families who participate in the NCS will come from 105 Study Locations (counties or groups of counties) across the United States. Study Centers are research teams that will carry out the research at these study locations. There will be up to 40 study centers and most centers will manage more than one study location. The Pacific Northwest Center is one of the study centers. The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network (FAS DPN), at the CHDD, will work in collaboration with the University of Utah, Orange County Vanguard Center, South Dakota State University, University of California at San Diego and the University of Mississippi to develop the DAI. The DAI will be used to examine and categorize major and minor physical anomalies in NCS study participants. The FAS DPN will contribute to the DAI‟s digital photography and direct measurement capabilities through the development of photograph protocols, photograph web-based training modules, photographic analysis software, and photograph storage.

Performing Research or Evaluation

Health-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

None

National

N/A