"An ideal study of the metabolism of children from birth to puberty would be the continuous measurement of the same child at frequent intervals throughout this period of life." This statement of Benedict and Talbot1 would be none the less apt if applied to all the many physiologic activities and not limited to energy metabolism. The actual accomplishment of a correlated, longitudinal study of this type requires much equipment, a large research staff and adequate financial support for many years. To provide an organization and resources for such a study on the normal child from birth through adolescence has been the aim and vision of the Child Research Council.
The plan of the council is to maintain a study of 100 normal children, more or less evenly divided between girls and boys, on whom observations are begun not later than one month after birth. The members of the group
LEWIS RC, KINSMAN GM, ILIFF A. THE BASAL METABOLISM OF NORMAL BOYS AND GIRLS FROM TWO TO TWELVE YEARS OLD, INCLUSIVE. Am J Dis Child. 1937;53(1_PART_II):348-428. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1937.04140080077002