Our primary GWAS study, titled the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors of Myopia (SCORM), is an extension of the longitudinal survey of 2,000 children that were recruited from the age of 7 years old, and followed up annually until they reached 12 years old. The GWAS data along with longitudinal data on height and weight allow us to investigate the genetic etiology of growth characteristics. By investigating the rate of change of height across these 6 years, or the height growth gradient, we have identified several polymorphisms in growth related candidate genes with suggestive evidence (that beyond multiple testing) that are associated with height gradient.

Aim: To investigate the genetic etiology of height growth, which we believe will be partly or wholly distinct from the genetic etiology of height.

Hypothesis: Candidate genes for growth and appetite/hunger regulation may be associated with childhood growth characteristics.

Exposure variable: Genotypes from SNPs located in the candidate genes for growth and appetite/hunger regulation, after including a buffer region of 10kb on either flanks of each gene.

Outcome variable: Height growth, defined as the gradient of the regression line explaining height (y-axis) and age (x-axis).

Confounding variable: Gender of the child.