Child Health

The Child Health Program is an integrated framework for child-centered interdisciplinary research, aligning patients, clinicians, researchers and resources in order to fill gaps to improve the lives of children with complex chronic diseases, during childhood and thereafter.

Child blows through a medical device, with her parent holding a bubble maker in front of the output, which makes bubbles.

News

Jannie Wijnen appointed as professor

26 March 2026 Read more

Staying active is important for children with cancer

25 March 2026

Tailoring treatments for rare metabolic diseases

23 March 2026

Karin Jongsma appointed as Professor

16 March 2026

A new perspective on the treatment of hereditary anaemia

13 March 2026

Our research themes

Choosing an integral approach, the Child Health Program aims to push boundaries with regard to specific disease areas. Although these diseases are diverse, all researchers share the same perspective. They study diseases in a life cycle perspective, they realize that physical and mental health interact continuously, and they strive for a highly interdisciplinary approach.

Research approaches

Child Health has a special focus on the four areas of disease mentioned above. The work we do in these areas is united by three research approaches: cycle of life, Physical and Mental Health and Interdisciplinarity.

Go to Research approaches

030-Lab

The 030-Lab is a core-facility in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital where researchers from all disciplines in the UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University and the Princess Máxima Center work closely together and perform innovative research.

Read more about the 030-Lab

 

Innovative therapies

Innovative therapies, such as mRNA, genetic therapy and CAR-T cell therapy, have enormous potential for treating children with rare diseases. The development, early phase clinical trials, regulation and accessibility of these therapies require collaboration.

In Utrecht, we have the facilities and enjoy working together to realise true innovation. Watch the video!

Magazine Child Health and Dynamics of Youth

This magazine is about mutual cooperation in Utrecht youth research. 'Be real' is for a diverse group of people: professionals, but also parents and young people themselves.

See how Utrecht children play, play sports and experience. We spoke to them outside, at home and in hospital. In 'Be real', researchers and young people talk about equal opportunities and how we can contribute to this for children and young people.

Read the magazine (in Dutch)

Upcoming events

There are no upcoming events

People behind the program

Kors van der Ent

Full Professor

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Manon Benders

Full Professor

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Carolien Huizinga

Program manager

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Titia Lely

Full Professor

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Leendert Looijenga

Groupleader and Managing Director Research Princes Máxima Centrum

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Roger Schutgens

Full Professor

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Peter van Tintelen

Full Professor

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Renske Huijsing

Science Communication Advisor

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