Child Health: science for life
Child Health: science for life
The Child Health Program of the UMC Utrecht is an integrated framework for child-centered interdisciplinary research, aligning patients, clinicians, investigators and resources, so that we can improve both physical and mental health of children during childhood and thereafter. In this program we aim to lead by filling significant gaps for children with complex chronic diseases like perinatal damage, congenital disorders, severe inflammatory diseases and cancer-survivors.

Chair prof. dr. C.K. van der Ent uitklapper, klik om te openen
The Program is chaired by prof. dr. Kors van der Ent. Kors is an experienced pediatric pulmonologist with special interest for chronic diseases, like cystic fibrosis. Besides top-notch science he is mainly focused on what really matters for patients and their families. ‘Let’s collaborate on a culture of trust and innovation’.
Societal impact uitklapper, klik om te openen
Last decades Pediatrics has been very successful in combating disease. The life expectancy of many disorders has improved significantly. But as a consequence many children survive with physical and mental consequences in the long term. This requires drastic changes in the healthcare of the future: Pediatrics should focus on the development of children towards healthy and balanced adults.
The Child Health Program unravels disease mechanisms with a view to the prevention and safe treatment of diseases in the long term. This requires intensive collaboration and cross-fertilization between basic and clinical scientists. But the program is also in constant interaction with the social environment where children grow-up and develop: the family, the school, the sports club and the wide living environment. Child Health is a program in the midst of the child’s society.
Pushing boundaries through scientific research uitklapper, klik om te openen
Child research magazine
This magazine gives you an insight into the program and introduces you to our researchers and their subjects. We invite you to read more about our researchers and their subjects. Please contact them and work together - because children are our future!
'Child health - Science for Life'
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Child Health is one of six UMC Utrecht-wide strategic research themes. All diseases in focus of the Child Health program are characterized by their influence on the individuals’ entire lifespan. These disorders often start at the beginning of life, or even before birth, and can have consequences far into adulthood. Within the Child Health program the ‘Cycle of Life’ approach is strongly intertwined with the so called ‘Cycle of Innovation’. Within this ‘Cycle of Innovation’ ambitious interdisciplinary teams of patients, clinicians and investigators – from bench to bedside to society - strive to develop and implement novel approaches for treatment, (early) diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of children with chronic diseases to fulfill unmet medical and psychosocial needs, to improve the lives of these children and their relatives. Both cycles interact at any moment in our hospital. With science and research, we provide the best possible care, today and in the future.
Research themes uitklapper, klik om te openen
Ante- and perinatal damage
This program has a life-cycle character, hosting several Centers of Excellence. It starts with care and research through periconceptional, antenatal and perinatal phases up to Neonatal Intensive care and research, aiming for the best longterm outcome of child health. Women, babies and their families are the centre of our service as we strive for excellence and innovation.
Congenital and hereditary disorders
Many disorders of genetic origin are extremely rare and require academic specialist care. The Child Health Program especially focuses on congenital diseases of the heart, liver and kidney and plays a key role in the respective European Reference Networks.
Severe inflammatory disorders
The Child Health Program hosts several Centers of Excellence for children with sustained severe inflammatory disorders, like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Cystic Fibrosis and Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections.
Pediatrics and oncology
Treatment of cancer in children can result in severe physical and psychosocial consequences in later life. The Child Health Program closely collaborates with the Princes Maxima Center to improve long term outcomes of cancer treatment.

dr. N.E. (Niek) van der Aa
Assistant Professor - medical

drs. U.V. Most
Assistant Professor - medical

ir. R.S. Rosendaal
Full Professor

dr. B. (Eduard) van Robbertsen
Assistant Professor - medical

dr. Q.R. (Mireille) Milder MSc
Full Professor

prof. drs. P. (Manon) Rouwenhorst
Full Professor

dr. ing. V. (Kitty) Bloemenkamp
Full Professor

dr. ing. F.G. (Marianne) Vette
Associate Professor
drs. P.Q. Oeveren
Full Professor

mr. ir. M.N. (Annelies) Boeren
Associate Professor - medical

ir. X.Y. Meppelink MBA
Associate Professor - medical

drs. U.V. (Frank J.M.) Verkerk - SF
Full Professor

drs. B.C.C. (Patricia) Zaalberg-The
Associate Professor

drs. Q. (Jeroen) Gosselink
Associate Professor

drs. E. van Noordman
Associate Professor - medical

drs. Z. (Marry) van den Kloostra-Koeiman
Full Professor

dr. X.Y.Y. (Niels) Zinger
Associate Professor

dr. I.J.J. (René) Planting
Full Professor

ir. C. (Cornelis) van der Nes
Full Professor

ir. drs. W.X. (Kathelijn) Bastiaan
Associate Professor - medical
prof. dr. V.W. (Joost) Overweg
Full Professor

mr. C. (S.A.) Nikkels
Associate Professor - medical

dr. K.P.M. (Karin) van Galen
Assistant Professor - medical

drs. ing. I.J.J. (Floris) Stapel
Associate Professor - medical

dr. ing. J.K. (Martha) Notermans
Full Professor

drs. ir. J. (Gijs) van Houtkamp
Associate Professor
Erven van F. Haas
Full Professor

Associate Professor C. van Fluit
Associate Professor - medical

mr. drs. K. (Harry) Oosterbaan
Full Professor

drs. G.H.H. (Freek) Cramer
Full Professor

dr. B. (Andy) Oostenbrugge
Professor Emeritus

ing. X.Y. van den Aarab
Assistant Professor

dr. X.Y.Y. Kuijpers - SF
Assistant Professor - medical

mr. Z. Kuijt MSc
Professor Emeritus

prof. dr. F.G. (Judith) Louwes
Associate Professor
ing. M.N.N. (Marjolijn) Roukema
Associate Professor - medical

drs. E.F.F. (Karin) Eldik
Assistant Professor

prof. dr. F.G.G. (Marijke C.) Maathuis
Associate Professor

ir. A.B. (Marjolijn) Wetten
Associate Professor

prof. drs. S.T. (Laetitia) de Makkink
Full Professor

Y. (Ruurd) Lauwen PhD
Assistant Professor

ir. N. (Jaap) van Uitslag
Full Professor

ing. J.K.K. (Titia) Gerberink - SF
Associate Professor - medical

drs. ir. T.U. (Virissa) Huibers
Assistant Professor

mr. dr. K.L. (Caroline) Edelenbos
Assistant Professor - medical

prof. I.J. (Jorg) van Bikker
Associate Professor

ir. Z.A. (Michal) Otterloo
Associate Professor

dr. ing. T. van Bloks
Assistant Professor - medical

drs. ir. W. (K. (Carl) G.M. ) Steenman
Full Professor

dr. L.M. (Janjaap) van der Straver
Associate Professor

ir. O. Kaagman
Full Professor
dr. Z.A. (Cora H.A. ) Uiterwijk
Associate Professor

prof. dr. V. (Sanne) Smid
Associate Professor - medical
prof. dr. J.J.K. (Hans Kristian) Ploos van Amstel
Full Professor

dr. W.X. (Berent ) Vos - SF
Full Professor

dr. E.F.F. (Elise) van de Honkoop
Full Professor

drs. K.L.L. (Kirsten) Cuba
Assistant Professor

mr. B. van Broos-Saarloos
Associate Professor - medical

dr. F.G.G. (Elisabeth ) Bakkers
Full Professor

ir. V.W. van Kemerink
Associate Professor - medical

drs. G. Butt
Full Professor
dr. A.B. (Miriam) Vleuten
Full Professor

ir. O.P. Glas
Assistant Professor - medical

dr. A.B.B. (Tim) Wijers
Associate Professor

drs. C. (Peter) van Wijn
Full Professor

drs. T.U. Polman
Associate Professor - medical

ds. G. Poortman-Weerdt
Full Professor
dr. mr. M. (Olaf) Zwieten
Assistant Professor

ir. drs. N.O. (Daniel) Quaedvlieg
Assistant Professor - medical

prof. drs. X. (Femke) van Zoethout
Full Professor

dr. mr. Z.A. (Joanne) Roozen
Assistant Professor - medical

prof. dr. ir. K.L.L. (Roelie) Wösten-van Asperen
Associate Professor

drs. P.Q.Q. (Nico M.) Wert
Professor Emeritus
Child Health news uitklapper, klik om te openen

Value based perinatal care
Read more

Vaccinating babies and elderly against RS virus is possible
Read more

Launch of the Sleep Discovery Lab
Read more

New metabolic disease discovered
Read more

Telemonitoring pregnancy at home as safe as in hospital
Read more

'The patient perspective as a basis for research'
Read more
Overview news items
Career development uitklapper, klik om te openen
Through our talent development programs we seek to highlight the achievements of our researchers and research partners. Read more about the programs and how to join us:
- Tulips Program
- Eureka Institute
- Summer School
Internships
Child Health offers students the opportunity to do an internship in various research groups as a part of their training. If you would like to participate in the research in any of our groups, please contact the principal investigator for more information. Of note, priority for internship positions is given to master students in Utrecht.
Grants uitklapper, klik om te openen
Call – Child Health and Dynamics of Youth Booster grant 2022
In recent years, important steps have been taken towards increased cooperation between Child Health (UMCU) and Dynamics of Youth (UU). In the coming period, we strengthen our cooperation, among others by launching joint booster grants. Read more >
Program commitee uitklapper, klik om te openen
The members of the Child Health program commitee are:
- Prof. C.K. van der Ent (chair)
- Prof.dr. M.J.N.L. Benders
- Dr. G. van Haaften
- Dr. W.J.W. Kollen
- Dr. A.T. Lely
- Prof.dr. A.B.J. Prakken
- Prof.dr. R.E.G. Schutgens
- Prof.dr. N.M. Wulffraat
Contact uitklapper, klik om te openen
Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital
Lundlaan 6
3584 EA Utrecht
Office uitklapper, klik om te openen
drs. C.S.M. (Carolien) Huizinga
Coordinator of the Child Health Program
0031 6 24660922