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Cordero M, Golding J. The importance of birth cohort studies to low and middle income countries. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:1094-1101. [PMID: 35450489 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2067345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to discern the causes of the health and developmental problems of children, and thence develop preventative strategies, longitudinal cohort studies offer major advantages. They can monitor the consequences of exposure to physical and psychological events and thence identify antecedents of various disorders. We describe the historical background to the development in the UK of this study design, and the uptake of longitudinal birth cohorts in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), using the cohorts in Jamaica, South Africa and Brazil as exemplars. We describe the benefits of such studies and show how undertaking longitudinal cohort studies can have major health and financial benefits to the populations concerned. Additionally, the paper outlines the advantages of collaboration between studies and the pooling of data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cordero
- Centre for Research in Food Environments and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases Associated with Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jean Golding
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Shamsipour M, Pirjani R, Jeddi MZ, Effatpanah M, Rastkari N, Kashani H, Shirazi M, Hassanvand MS, Shariat M, Javadi FS, Shariatpanahi G, Hassanpour G, Peykarporsan Z, Jamal A, Ardestani ME, Hoseini FS, Dalili H, Nayeri FS, Mesdaghinia A, Naddafi K, Shahtaheri SJ, Nasseri S, Yunesian F, Rezaeizadeh G, Amini H, Yokoyama K, Vigeh M, Yunesian M. Tehran environmental and neurodevelopmental disorders (TEND) cohort study: Phase I, feasibility assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 18:733-742. [PMID: 33312598 PMCID: PMC7721759 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To advance knowledge about childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and study their environmental determinants, we conducted a study in Tehran, Iran to assess the feasibility of prospective birth cohort study. METHODS We evaluated participation of pregnant women, feasibility of sampling biological material, and health care services availability in Tehran in four steps: (1) first trimester of pregnancy; (2) third trimester of pregnancy; (3) at delivery; and (4) two to three months after delivery. We collected related data through questionnaires, also various biological samples were obtained from mothers (blood, urine, milk and nails-hands and feet) and newborns (umbilical cord blood, meconium, and urine samples) from February 2016 to October 2017. RESULTS overall 838 eligible pregnant women were approached. The participation rate was 206(25%) in our study and about 185(90%) of subjects were recruited in hospitals. Out of 206 participants in the first trimester, blood, urine, hand nail, and foot nail samples were collected from 206(100%),193(93%), 205(99%), and 205(99%), respectively. These values dropped to 65(54%), 83(69%), 84(70%), and 84(70%) for the remaining participants 120(58%) in the third trimester, respectively. Also, we gathered milk samples from 125(60%) of mothers at two to three months after delivery. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that hospitals were better places for recruitment of subjects in a birth cohort in Tehran. We further concluded that birth cohort study recruitment can be improved by choosing appropriate gestational ages. Obtaining the newborn's urine, meconium, and umbilical cord blood were challenging procedures and require good collaboration between hospital staff and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Shamsipour
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Pirjani
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Arash women’s hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zare Jeddi
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 E Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mohammad Effatpanah
- School of Medicine, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noushin Rastkari
- Center for Air Pollution Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Kashani
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Shirazi
- Maternal, fetal and neonatal research center, Tehran University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand
- Center for Air Pollution Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mamak Shariat
- Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ghazal Shariatpanahi
- Pediatric department, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hassanpour
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Peykarporsan
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Jamal
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Ebad Ardestani
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hosein Dalili
- Breastfeeding Research Center, Family Health Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadat Nayeri
- Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Mesdaghinia
- Center for Water Quality Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Naddafi
- Center for Air Pollution Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nasseri
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Water Quality Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Yunesian
- Environmental Engineer, Data Management Unit in Trial Contract Research Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Rezaeizadeh
- Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heresh Amini
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kazuhito Yokoyama
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Mohsen Vigeh
- Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421 Japan
| | - Masud Yunesian
- Department of Research Methodology and Data Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Valdebenito S, Murray A, Hughes C, Băban A, Fernando AD, Madrid BJ, Ward C, Osafo J, Dunne M, Sikander S, Walker SP, Thang VV, Tomlinson M, Fearon P, Shenderovich Y, Marlow M, Chathurika D, Taut D, Eisner M. Evidence for Better Lives Study: a comparative birth-cohort study on child exposure to violence and other adversities in eight low- and middle-income countries - foundational research (study protocol). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034986. [PMID: 33039982 PMCID: PMC7552842 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Violence against children is a health, human rights and social problem affecting approximately half of the world's children. Its effects begin at prenatal stages with long-lasting impacts on later health and well-being. The Evidence for Better Lives Study (EBLS) aims to produce high-quality longitudinal data from cities in eight low- and middle-income countries-Ghana, Jamaica, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam-to support effective intervention to reduce violence against children. EBLS-Foundational Research (EBLS-FR) tests critical aspects of the planned EBLS, including participant recruitment and retention, data collection and analysis. Alongside epidemiological estimates of levels and predictors of exposure to violence and adversity during pregnancy, we plan to explore mechanisms that may link exposure to violence to mothers' biological stress markers and subjective well-being. METHODS AND ANALYSES EBLS-FR is a short longitudinal study with a sample of 1200 pregnant women. Data are collected during the last trimester of pregnancy and 2 to 6 months after birth. The questionnaire for participating women has been translated into nine languages. Measures obtained from mothers will include, among others, mental and physical health, attitudes to corporal punishment, adverse childhood experiences, prenatal intimate partner violence, substance use and social/community support. Hair and dry blood spot samples are collected from the pregnant women to measure stress markers. To explore research participation among fathers, EBLS-FR is recruiting 300 fathers in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study received ethical approvals at all recruiting sites and universities in the project. Results will be disseminated through journal publications, conferences and seminar presentations involving local communities, health services and other stakeholders. Findings from this work will help to adjust the subsequent stages of the EBLS project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Valdebenito
- Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aja Murray
- Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire Hughes
- Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Adriana Băban
- Department of Psychology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Bernadette J Madrid
- Child Protection Unit, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Catherine Ward
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Joseph Osafo
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael Dunne
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siham Sikander
- Global Health Department, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Susan P Walker
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Vo Van Thang
- Institute for Community Health Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Viet Nam
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Pasco Fearon
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yulia Shenderovich
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marguerite Marlow
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | | | - Diana Taut
- Department of Psychology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Manuel Eisner
- Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Golding J, Gregory S, Matthews S, Smith D, Suarez-Perez A, Bowring C, Iles Caven Y, Birmingham K, Pembrey M, Suderman M, Northstone K. Ancestral childhood environmental exposures occurring to the grandparents and great-grandparents of the ALSPAC study children. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:207. [PMID: 33043146 PMCID: PMC7527864 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16257.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cohort studies tend to be designed to look forward from the time of enrolment of the participants, but there is considerable evidence that the previous generations have a particular relevance not only in the genes that they have passed on, their cultural beliefs and attitudes, but also in the ways in which previous environmental exposures may have had non-genetic impacts, particularly for exposures during fetal life or in childhood. Methods: To investigate such non-genetic inheritance, we have collected information on the childhoods of the ancestors of the cohort of births comprising the original Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The data collected on the study child's grandparents and great grandparents comprise: (a) countries of birth; (b) years of birth; (c) age at onset of smoking; (d) whether the ancestral mothers smoked during pregnancy; (e) social class of the household; (f) information on 19 potentially traumatic situations in their childhoods such as death of a parent, being taken into care, not having enough to eat, or being in a war situation; (g) causes of death for those ancestors who had died. The ages at which the individual experienced the traumatic situations distinguished between ages <6; 6-11, and 12-16 years. The numbers of ancestors on which data were obtained varied from 1128 paternal great-grandfathers to 4122 maternal great grandmothers. These ancestral data will be available for analysis to bona fide researchers on application to the ALSPAC Executive Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Steven Gregory
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Sarah Matthews
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Daniel Smith
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | | | - Claire Bowring
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Yasmin Iles Caven
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Karen Birmingham
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Marcus Pembrey
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Matthew Suderman
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Kate Northstone
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
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Kana MA, Ahmed J, Ashiru AY, Jibrin S, Sunday AD, Shehu K, Safiyan H, Kantiyok C, Yusuf HE, Ibrahim JM, Musa S, Baduku TS, Tabari AM, Barros H, London SJ. Child Electronic Growth Monitoring System: An innovative and sustainable approach for establishing the Kaduna Infant Development (KID) Study in Nigeria. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2020; 34:532-543. [PMID: 32083347 PMCID: PMC7443740 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing countries bear the burden of childhood stunting but lack resources for cohort studies to develop preventive strategies. To enable future prospective studies, we designed and tested the Child Electronic Growth Monitoring System (CEGROMS) using a readily available electronic data capture platform, the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). OBJECTIVES To demonstrate the feasibility of using CEGROMS for data collection for a pilot study for the Kaduna Infant Development (KID) Birth Cohort Study in Nigeria. METHODS CEGROMS consists of the data capture form for growth monitoring, a central cloud server, electronic tablets, and desktop computer. We implemented the pilot study in 2017-2019 at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for completeness of baseline data (relative to individuals with incomplete data) and completion of follow-up at different time points (relative to individuals with no follow-up visit) by the participant characteristics. Complete data were defined as date of birth, sex, and birthweight recorded at recruitment. RESULTS Among 3152 infant records in CEGROMS, 2789 (88.5%) had complete data. Of these, 1905 (68.3%) had at least one follow-up visit. The main determinants of data completeness were health facility delivery (OR 19.17, 95% CI 13.65, 26.92) and tertiary education (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.69, 4.67). Follow-up was greater for women with tertiary education (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06, 1.51 for at least one visit). Maternal education is associated with completeness and follow-up (following adjustments for parity and employment). CONCLUSIONS The CEGROMS electronic data collection system enables complete and consistent data collection. The data will enable design of strategies to improve follow-up in the future implementation of the birth cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa A. Kana
- Department of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA,Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria,EPIUnit‐Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jimoh M. Ibrahim
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | - Shuaibu Musa
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | - Tokan S. Baduku
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | | | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit‐Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Stephanie J. London
- Department of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
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Kingston D, Mughal MK, Arshad M, Kovalchuk I, Metz GAS, Wynne-Edwards K, King S, Jiang S, Postovit L, Wajid A, McDonald S, Slater DM, Tough SC, Aitchison K, Arnold P. Prediction and Understanding of Resilience in Albertan Families: Longitudinal Study of Disaster Responses (PURLS) - Protocol. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:729. [PMID: 31736793 PMCID: PMC6834684 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to a natural disaster in childhood can have serious, long-lasting consequences, impacting physical and mental health, development, and learning. Although many children experience negative effects after a disaster, the majority do not, and what differentiates these groups is not well understood. Some of the factors that influence disaster-related outcomes in the midst of adversity include parents' mental health, the home environment, and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, genetics has also a role to play in how children respond to stressors. We had the opportunity to conduct a natural experiment of disaster recovery following the Alberta 2013 Flood. This paper presents the detailed protocol on prediction of resilience in Albertan families, and validation with cortisol data. In addition, data collection procedures, developing resiliency screening tools, candidate gene identification, genotyping, DNA methylation, and genomic analyses are described to achieve the research objectives. This study produced new knowledge by using pre- and post-disaster information on children's health and development, including children's genetics and responses to stress. This information has been identified as important to governments and other organizations invested in early child development. Our comprehensive research plan generates evidence that can be mobilized population-based approaches to improve child and family resiliency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Kingston
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Muhammad Arshad
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Igor Kovalchuk
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Katherine Wynne-Edwards
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Suzanne King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shui Jiang
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lynne Postovit
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Abdul Wajid
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sheila McDonald
- Child Development Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Donna M Slater
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Suzanne C Tough
- Child Development Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Katherine Aitchison
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Paul Arnold
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Manhas KP, Dodd SX, Page S, Letourneau N, Adair CE, Cui X, Tough SC. Sharing longitudinal, non-biological birth cohort data: a cross-sectional analysis of parent consent preferences. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2018; 18:97. [PMID: 30419910 PMCID: PMC6233367 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-018-0683-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mandates abound to share publicly-funded research data for reuse, while data platforms continue to emerge to facilitate such reuse. Birth cohorts (BC) involve longitudinal designs, significant sample sizes and rich and deep datasets. Data sharing benefits include more analyses, greater research complexity, increased opportunities for collaboration, amplification of public contributions, and reduced respondent burdens. Sharing BC data involves significant challenges including consent, privacy, access policies, communication, and vulnerability of the child. Research on these issues is available for biological data, but these findings may not extend to BC data. We lack consensus on how best to approach these challenges in consent, privacy, communication and autonomy when sharing BC data. We require more stakeholder engagement to understand perspectives and generate consensus. METHODS Parents participating in longitudinal birth cohorts completed a web-based survey investigating consent preferences for sharing their, and their child's, non-biological research data. Results from a previous qualitative inquiry informed survey development, and cognitive interviewing methods (n = 9) were used to improve the question quality and comprehension. Recruitment was via personalized email, with email and phone reminders during the 14-day window for survey completion. RESULTS Three hundred and forty-six of 569 parents completed the survey in September 2014 (60.8%). Participants preferred consent processes for data sharing in future independent research that were less-active (i.e. no consent or opt-out). Parents' consent preferences are associated with their communication preferences. Twenty percent (20.2%) of parents generally agreed that their child should provide consent to continue participating in research at age 12, while 25.6% felt decision-making on sharing non-biological research data should begin at age 18. CONCLUSIONS These finding reflect the parenting population's preference for less project-specific permission when research data is non-biological and de-identified and when governance practices are highly detailed and rigourous. Parents recognize that children should become involved in consent for secondary data use, but there is variability regarding when and how involvement occurs. These findings emphasize governance processes and participant notification rather than project-specific consent for secondary use of de-identified, non-biological data. Ultimately, parents prefer general consent processes for sharing de-identified, non-biological research data with ultimate involvement of the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Pohar Manhas
- Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Stacey Page
- Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Carol E. Adair
- Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Xinjie Cui
- PolicyWise for Children & Families, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Suzanne C. Tough
- PolicyWise for Children & Families, Calgary, Canada
- Pediatrics & Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Radwan H, Hashim M, Shaker Obaid R, Hasan H, Naja F, Al Ghazal H, Jan Jan Mohamed H, Rizk R, Al Hilali M, Rayess R, Izzaldin G. The Mother-Infant Study Cohort (MISC): Methodology, challenges, and baseline characteristics. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198278. [PMID: 29851999 PMCID: PMC5978878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The United Arab Emirates (UAE) exhibits alarming high prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. Emerging evidence highlighted the role of maternal and early child nutrition in preventing later-onset NCDs. The objectives of this article are to describe the design and methodology of the first Mother and Infant Study Cohort (MISC) in UAE; present the baseline demographic characteristics of the study participants; and discuss the challenges of the cohort and their respective responding strategies. METHODS The MISC is an ongoing two-year prospective cohort study which recruited Arab pregnant women in their third trimester from prenatal clinics in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Participants will be interviewed six times (once during pregnancy, at delivery, and at 2, 6, 12 and 24months postpartum). Perinatal information is obtained from hospital records. Collected data include socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, dietary intake and anthropometry; infant feeding practices, cognitive development; along with maternal and infant blood profile and breast milk profile. RESULTS The preliminary results reported that 256 completed baseline assessment (mean age: 30.5±6.0 years; 76.6% multiparous; about 60% were either overweight or obese before pregnancy). The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 19.2%. Upon delivery, 208 women-infant pairs were retained (mean gestational age: 38.5±1.5 weeks; 33.3% caesarean section delivery; 5.3% low birthweight; 5.7% macrosomic deliveries). Besides participant retention, the main encountered challenges pertained to cultural complexity, underestimation the necessary start-up time, staff, and costs, and biochemical data collection. CONCLUSIONS Despite numerous methodological, logistical and sociocultural challenges, satisfactory follow-up rates are recorded. Strategies addressing challenges are documented, providing information for planning and implementing future birth cohort studies locally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadia Radwan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mona Hashim
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reyad Shaker Obaid
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hayder Hasan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Naja
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hessa Al Ghazal
- Family Health Promotion Center, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Rana Rizk
- Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie (INSPECT-LB), The Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwa Al Hilali
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rana Rayess
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ghamra Izzaldin
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences(RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Generation and validation of a universal perinatal database and biospecimen repository: PeriBank. J Perinatol 2016; 36:921-929. [PMID: 27629376 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2016.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a dearth of biospecimen repositories available to perinatal researchers. In order to address this need, here we describe the methodology used to establish such a resource. STUDY DESIGN With the collaboration of MedSci.net, we generated an online perinatal database with 847 fields of clinical information. Simultaneously, we established a biospecimen repository of the same clinical participants. RESULTS The demographic and clinical outcomes data are described for the first 10 000 participants enrolled. The demographic characteristics are consistent with the demographics of the delivery hospitals. Quality analysis of the biospecimens reveals variation in very few analytes. Furthermore, since the creation of PeriBank, we have demonstrated validity of the database and tissue integrity of the biospecimen repository. CONCLUSION Here we establish that the creation of a universal perinatal database and biospecimen collection is not only possible, but allows for the performance of state-of-the-science translational perinatal research and is a potentially valuable resource to academic perinatal researchers.
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Manhas KP, Page S, Dodd SX, Letourneau N, Ambrose A, Cui X, Tough SC. Parental perspectives on consent for participation in large-scale, non-biological data repositories. LIFE SCIENCES, SOCIETY AND POLICY 2016; 12:1. [PMID: 26790860 PMCID: PMC4720627 DOI: 10.1186/s40504-016-0034-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data sharing presents several challenges to the informed consent process. Unique challenges emerge when sharing pediatric or pregnancy-related data. Here, parent preferences for sharing non-biological data are examined. METHODS Groups (n = 4 groups, 18 participants) and individual interviews (n = 19 participants) were conducted with participants from two provincial, longitudinal pregnancy cohorts (AOB and APrON). Qualitative content analysis was applied to transcripts of semi-structured interviews. RESULTS Participants were supportive of a broad, one-time consent model or a tiered consent model. These preferences were grounded in the perceived obligations for reciprocity and accuracy. Parents want reciprocity among participants, repositories and researchers regarding respect and trust. Furthermore, parents' worry about the interrelationships between the validity of the consent processes and secondary data use. CONCLUSIONS Though parent participants agree that their research data should be made available for secondary use, they believe their consent is still required. Given their understanding that obtaining and informed consent can be challenging in the case of secondary use, parents agreed that a broad, one-time consent model was acceptable, reducing the logistical burden while maintaining respect for their contribution. This broad model also maintained participant trust in the research and secondary use of their data. The broad, one-time model also reflected parents' perspectives surrounding child involvement in the consent process. The majority of parents felt decision made during childhood were the parents responsibility and should remain in parental purview until the child reaches the age of majority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Pohar Manhas
- Child Development Centre, c/o 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada.
| | - Stacey Page
- MacKimmie Library Tower, 2500 University Drive Northwest, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Shawn X Dodd
- Child Development Centre, c/o 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada.
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Child Development Centre, c/o 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada.
| | | | - Xinjie Cui
- Child and Youth Data Lab, Alberta Center for Child Family and Community Research, 9925 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3M9, Canada.
| | - Suzanne C Tough
- Child Development Centre, c/o 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada.
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Ernst SA, Günther K, Frambach T, Zeeb H. Prenatal recruitment of participants for a birth cohort study including cord blood collection: results of a feasibility study in Bremen, Germany. GERMAN MEDICAL SCIENCE : GMS E-JOURNAL 2015; 13:Doc04. [PMID: 25908931 PMCID: PMC4397994 DOI: 10.3205/000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prospective birth cohort studies comprising follow up of children from pregnancy or birth over a long period of time, and collecting various biological samples at different times through the life-course offer a promising approach to enhance etiologic knowledge of various diseases. Especially for those where early lifetime exposures and conditions are thought to play an important role. The collection and storage of biological samples is a critical component in epidemiological studies, notably for research regarding prenatal exposures to various environmental factors as well as for DNA extraction. Our feasibility study for a birth cohort within the scope of etiology of childhood leukemia with prospective sampling of mothers and their future newborns aimed to investigate the willingness of pregnant women to participate in a birth cohort study involving collection of blood and umbilical cord blood samples. The overall aim was to develop practice-based research recommendations for a possible German birth cohort study. METHODS The study was conducted in Bremen, Germany, between January 2012 and March 2013. Pregnant women were eligible for recruitment if (i) their expected date of delivery was during the study recruitment phase (September 2012-February 2013), (ii) they planned to give birth at the cooperating hospital's obstetric unit and (iii) their knowledge of the German language was sufficient to understand study materials, details of participation and to fill out the prenatal self-administered questionnaire. Maternal blood and umbilical cord blood samples to be used for later research activities were collected and stored at a stem cell bank already collaborating with the hospital. 22 primary care gynecologists were invited to enroll pregnant women for the study and cooperation with one hospital was established. Expectant women were recruited during the last trimester of pregnancy, either during one of their prenatal care visits at their primary care gynecologist or later on in hospital by the attending obstetricians or project staff. RESULTS Of the 22 invited primary care gynecologists requested to enroll pregnant women for the study, 8 gynecologists actually collaborated. A total of 200 eligible women were invited to participate in the study, 48 (24%) of whom agreed. 34 women were enrolled by primary care gynecologists, with one gynecologist enrolling 26 women. Twelve of 14 women recruited via hospitals were enrolled by study staff. A total of 41 women consented to the collection of umbilical cord blood and maternal blood samples, and samples could be stored for 54% of them. Reason for non-participation were the uncertainty whether or not the full study would be conducted and the fact that the participants were not willing to decide for their children whether or not genetic information (cord blood) can be stored for research purposes. CONCLUSION Enrolling parents in a birth cohort study that includes biosampling is a challenge, but participation can be improved through close collaboration with primary care gynecologists and maternity hospitals. Cord blood collection may impede participation, especially when maternity hospitals offer an alternative option for cord blood donation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathrin Günther
- Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Hajo Zeeb
- Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Bremen, Germany
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Morton SM, Ramke J, Kinloch J, Grant CC, Carr PA, Leeson H, Lee ACL, Robinson E. Growing Up in New Zealandcohort alignment with all New Zealand births. Aust N Z J Public Health 2014; 39:82-7. [DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan M.B. Morton
- Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
| | - Jacqueline Ramke
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
| | - Jennifer Kinloch
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- School of Population Health; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
| | - Cameron C. Grant
- Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- Department of Paediatrics; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- Starship Children's Hospital; Auckland District Health Board; New Zealand
| | - Polly Atatoa Carr
- Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
| | - Heidi Leeson
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
| | - Arier Chi Lun Lee
- Growing Up in New Zealand; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
- School of Population Health; The University of Auckland; New Zealand
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Leung BM, McDonald SW, Kaplan BJ, Giesbrecht GF, Tough SC. Comparison of sample characteristics in two pregnancy cohorts: community-based versus population-based recruitment methods. BMC Med Res Methodol 2013; 13:149. [PMID: 24314150 PMCID: PMC4029181 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-13-149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the biggest challenges for population health studies is the recruitment of participants. Questions that investigators have asked are “who volunteers for studies?” and “does recruitment method influence characteristics of the samples?” The purpose of this paper was to compare sample characteristics of two unrelated pregnancy cohort studies taking place in the same city, in the same time period, that employed different recruitment strategies, as well as to compare the characteristics of both cohorts to provincial and national statistics derived from the Maternity Experiences Survey (MES). Methods One pregnancy cohort used community-based recruitment (e.g. posters, pamphlets, interviews with community media and face-to-face recruitment in maternity clinics); the second pregnancy cohort used both community-based and population-based (a centralized system identifying pregnant women undergoing routine laboratory testing) strategies. Results The pregnancy cohorts differed in education, income, ethnicity, and foreign-born status (p < 0.01), but were similar for maternal age, BMI, and marital status. Compared to the MES, the lowest age, education, and income groups were under-represented, and the cohorts were more likely to be primiparous. Conclusions The findings suggest that non-stratified strategies for recruitment of participants will not necessarily result in samples that reflect the general population, but can reflect the target population of interest. Attracting and retaining young, low resource women into urban studies about pregnancy may require alternate and innovative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bonnie J Kaplan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Cohen Hubal EA, de Wet T, Du Toit L, Firestone MP, Ruchirawat M, van Engelen J, Vickers C. Identifying important life stages for monitoring and assessing risks from exposures to environmental contaminants: results of a World Health Organization review. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 69:113-24. [PMID: 24099754 PMCID: PMC5355211 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We propose a harmonized set of age bins for assessing risks from chemical exposure. The set of early life age groups will facilitate consistency with recent guidance. The age bins allow results from longitudinal birth cohort studies to be combined. Region-specific exposure factors and monitoring data are needed to apply the bins.
In this paper, we summarize exposure-related issues to consider in determining the most appropriate age ranges and life stages for risk assessment. We then propose a harmonized set of age bins for monitoring and assessing risks from exposures to chemicals for global use. The focus is on preconception through adolescence, though the approach should be applicable to additional life stages. A two-tiered set of early life age groups is recommended. The first tier involves the adoption of guidance similar to the childhood age groups recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, whereas the second tier consolidates some of those age groups to reduce the burden of developing age-specific exposure factors for different regions. While there is no single “correct” means of choosing a common set of age groups to use internationally in assessing early life exposure and risk, use of a set of defined age groups is recommended to facilitate comparisons of potential exposures and risks around the globe, the collection of data and analyses of aggregate exposure and cumulative risk. Application of these age groups for robust assessment of exposure and risk for specific populations will require region-specific exposure factors as well as local environmental monitoring data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Thea de Wet
- Centre for Anthropological Research and Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, The University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa.
| | - Lilo Du Toit
- Centre for Rural Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Michael P Firestone
- Regulatory Support & Science Policy Division, Office of Children's Health Protection (MC 1107T), Office of the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Room 1130 EPA West Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460, USA.
| | - Mathuros Ruchirawat
- Office of Research, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng-phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
| | - Jacqueline van Engelen
- Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Carolyn Vickers
- International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
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Buck Louis GM, Yeung E, Sundaram R, Laughon SK, Zhang C. The exposome--exciting opportunities for discoveries in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2013; 27:229-36. [PMID: 23574410 PMCID: PMC3625972 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that underlie successful human reproduction and development is an ambitious goal, given the many unique methodological challenges surrounding such study. These challenges are well understood by reproductive and perinatal epidemiologists and include its conditional nature, unobservable yet informative outcomes such as conception, multi-scale missing data, correlated or non-independent outcomes, interval censoring and a hierarchical data structure. Novel methodologies for overcoming these challenges and for answering critical data gaps are needed if we are to better understand the inefficiency that currently characterises human reproduction with the goal of improving population health. The exposome is an emerging paradigm that offers promise for understanding the natural history of human reproduction and development, and its many associated impairments that develop later in child- or adulthood. This novel paradigm recognises the need to identify and measure the totality of environmental (non-genetic) exposures from preconception through sensitive windows, and to identify patterns associated with healthy and adverse outcomes. The exposome accommodates research focusing on unique subpopulations, such as couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies, so that methodological limitations such as unobservable and conditional outcomes can be better addressed. Reproductive and perinatal epidemiology is uniquely suited for proof-of-concept exposome research, given the intricate relations between fecundity, gravid health and later onset disease and the narrow and interrelated sensitive windows that characterise the conditional nature of human reproduction and development. Bold new conceptual frameworks such as the exposome are needed for designing research that may lead to discovery and improve population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germaine M Buck Louis
- Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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McDonald SW, Lyon AW, Benzies KM, McNeil DA, Lye SJ, Dolan SM, Pennell CE, Bocking AD, Tough SC. The All Our Babies pregnancy cohort: design, methods, and participant characteristics. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2013; 13 Suppl 1:S2. [PMID: 23445747 PMCID: PMC3561154 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-s1-s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prospective cohort study design is ideal for examining diseases of public health importance, as its inherent temporal nature renders it advantageous for studying early life influences on health outcomes and research questions of aetiological significance. This paper will describe the development and characteristics of the All Our Babies (AOB) study, a prospective pregnancy cohort in Calgary, Alberta, Canada designed to examine determinants of maternal, infant, and child outcomes and identify barriers and facilitators in health care utilization. Methods Women were recruited from health care offices, communities, and through Calgary Laboratory Services before 25 weeks gestation from May 2008 to December 2010. Participants completed two questionnaires during pregnancy, a third at 4 months postpartum, and are currently being followed-up with questionnaires at 12, 24, and 36 months. Data was collected on pregnancy history, demographics, lifestyle, health care utilization, physical and mental health, parenting, and child developmental outcomes and milestones. In addition, biological/serological and genetic markers can be extracted from collected maternal and cord blood samples. Results A total of 4011 pregnant women were eligible for recruitment into the AOB study. Of this, 3388 women completed at least one survey. The majority of participants were less than 35 years of age, Caucasian, Canadian born, married or in a common-law relationship, well-educated, and reported household incomes above the Calgary median. Women who discontinued after the first survey (n=123) were typically younger, non-Caucasian, foreign-born, had lower education and household income levels, were less likely to be married or in a common-law relationship, and had poor psychosocial health in early pregnancy. In general, AOB participants reflect the pregnant and parenting population at local and provincial levels, and perinatal indicators from the study are comparable to perinatal surveillance data. Conclusions The extensive and rich data collected in the AOB cohort provides the opportunity to answer complex questions about the relationships between biology, early experiences, and developmental outcomes. This cohort will contribute to the understanding of the biologic mechanisms and social/environmental pathways underlying associations between early and later life outcomes, gene-environment interactions, and developmental trajectories among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila W McDonald
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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18
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Vissing NH, Jensen SM, Bisgaard H. Validity of information on atopic disease and other illness in young children reported by parents in a prospective birth cohort study. BMC Med Res Methodol 2012; 12:160. [PMID: 23088330 PMCID: PMC3504537 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-12-160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The longitudinal birth cohort study is the preferred design for studies of childhood health, particularly atopic disease. Still, prospective data collection depends on recollection of the medical history since the previous visit representing a potential recall-bias. We aimed to ascertain the quality of information on atopic disease and other health symptoms reported by parental interview in a closely monitored birth cohort study. Possible bias from symptom severity and socioeconomics were sought. Methods Copenhagen study on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) is a clinical birth cohort study of 411 children born of asthmatic mothers from 1999 to 2001. Child health is monitored at six-monthly visits with particular emphasis on atopic symptoms and infections. Data from the first three study years on 260 children was compared with records from their family practitioner as an external reference. Results A total of 6134 medical events were reported at the COPSAC interviews. Additional 586 medical events were recorded by family practitioners but not reported at the interview. There were no missed events related to asthma, eczema or allergy. Respiratory, infectious and skin related symptoms showed completeness above 90%, other diseases showed lower completeness around 77%. There was no meaningful influence from concurrent asthma or socioeconomics. Conclusions The COPSAC study exhibited full sensitivity to the main study objectives, atopic disease, and high sensitivity to respiratory, infectious and skin related illness. Our findings support the validity of parental interviews in longitudinal cohort studies investigating atopic disease and illness in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Hawwa Vissing
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, The Danish Pediatric Asthma Center, Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Ledreborg Alle 34 2900 Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germaine M Buck Louis
- Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd., Room 7B05, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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Human biomonitoring: Political benefits—Scientific challenges. September 26–28, 2010. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2012; 215:247-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Revised: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Pediatr 2010; 22:246-55. [PMID: 20299870 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0b013e32833846de] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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McCaw-Binns A, Ashley D, Samms-Vaughan M. Impact of the Jamaican birth cohort study on maternal, child and adolescent health policy and practice. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2010; 24:3-11. [PMID: 20078824 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2009.01086.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The Jamaica Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey (JPMMS) was a national study designed to identify modifiable risk factors associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome. Needing to better understand factors that promote or retard child development, behaviour and academic achievement, we conducted follow-up studies of the birth cohort. The paper describes the policy developments from the JPMMS and two follow-up rounds. The initial study (1986-87) documented 94% of all births and their outcomes on the island over 2 months (n = 10 508), and perinatal (n = 2175) and maternal deaths (n = 62) for a further 10 months. A subset of the birth cohort, identified by their date of birth through school records, was seen at ages 11-12 (n = 1715) and 15-16 years (n = 1563). Findings from the initial survey led to, inter alia, clinic-based screening for syphilis, referral high-risk clinics run by visiting obstetricians, and the redesign and construction of new labour wards at referral hospitals. The follow-up studies documented inadequate academic achievement among boys and children attending public schools, and associations between under- and over-nutrition, excessive television viewing (>20 h/week), inadequate parental supervision and behavioural problems. These contributed to the development of a television programming code for children, a National Parenting Policy, policies aimed at improving inter-sectoral services to children from birth to 5 years (Early Childhood Commission) and behavioural interventions of the Violence Prevention Alliance (an inter-sectoral NGO) and the Healthy Lifestyles project (Ministry of Health). Indigenous maternal and child health research provided a local evidence base that informed public policy. Collaboration, good communication, being vigilant to opportunities to influence policy, and patience has contributed to our success.
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Affiliation(s)
- A McCaw-Binns
- Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
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Abstract
Longitudinal studies are often focussed on specific outcomes to address predetermined hypotheses. Nevertheless, many discoveries have been made with data collected that were not part of the original design. Measurement of a broad range of outcomes is therefore important. Here we describe examples of the types of outcome that a birth cohort should collect, with emphasis on accuracy. We emphasise the use of continuous traits as well as of dichotomous outcomes, using a variety of examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Abstract
Key to the success of any longitudinal birth cohort study is the availability of appropriate and long-term levels of funding. The ease or difficulty of obtaining necessary funds to carry out data collection, preparation and documentation efficiently will determine the quality of data and the ease with which it is made available for collaborators. Various strategies for acquiring funding are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Doyle
- The Wellcome Trust, London, 183 Euston Road, London NW12BE, UK.
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Abstract
No longitudinal study should go into the field prior to detailed piloting and validation studies of the measures and techniques to be used. Preparation should also involve the training of staff, the acquisition of space and appropriate equipment, and liaison with the community and ethical committees as well as with scientific collaborators. Because different measures will continually be introduced as the participants age, the preparation, piloting and validation studies have to be ongoing. Here we describe some of the different strategies that should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Golding J, Jones R, Preece A, Bruné MN, Pronczuk J. Choice of environmental components for a longitudinal birth cohort study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2009; 23 Suppl 1:134-53. [PMID: 19490453 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2009.01014.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Various aspects of the environment of the mother and child may have major influences on the health and development of the child. Long-term influences can even affect chronic diseases of adulthood. Here we describe the major psychosocial and physical environmental factors that should be measured in longitudinal birth cohort studies.
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Abstract
A longitudinal birth cohort study is uniquely able to collect information on exposures that antecede signs and symptoms leading to diagnoses, and on the development of neurocognitive and behaviour traits. Here we discuss the optimal time to start such a study, and criteria for inclusion and exclusion of subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Abstract
The risks of most common health and developmental outcomes are contributed to by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Understanding of ways in which genes influence such outcomes, and especially of how their interaction with environmental factors affects health and development should lead to the identification of causal pathways and thence appropriate intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Adolescent and Child Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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29
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Abstract
Designing, piloting and proceeding with a longitudinal birth cohort is a major exercise. Here we outline ways in which a resource centre could be initiated to provide advice and training, a library of appropriate instruments and publications, provision for cross-cohort comparisons and a biobanking facility. The resource should be available for cohorts planned in the developed and developing world, as well as those countries in transition. We discuss possible strategies for funding such a centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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