The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been selected as one of 22 sites across the country for a national study on how genetic and environmental factors affect children’s health into adulthood.

About $69 million has been allocated by the federal government for this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, toward the study led by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The National Children’s Study plans to follow children in Hinds County from womb to adulthood beginning in 2009.

Dr. Anthony Mawson, UMC professor of preventive medicine, is principal researcher for the Mississippi part of the study.

Low birthweight, prematurity and stillbirths are some other conditions the study will focus on.