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Ruggieri S, Drago G, Colombo P, Alesci A, Augello P, Bisbano A, Bucolo A, Dattoli P, De Sole R, La Runa V, Lopez A, Lo Presti L, Magliarditi B, Paravati F, Pirillo G, Ziino Colanino A, Cibella F. Three contaminated sites in southern Italy. The Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes cohort: protocol for a longitudinal birth cohort study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e029471. [PMID: 31196906 PMCID: PMC6575711 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy is one of the determinants of child's future health outcomes. The effect of environmental pollution on pregnant women living in heavily polluted areas is of special interest and, in this context, the Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes (NEHO) cohort will focus on the investigation of (1) toxicants transferred from the environment to the mother and from the mother to the developing fetus and (2) the influence of toxicants on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development and health status during infancy. Because the human placenta is positioned at the interface between the maternal/external environment and the embryo, it can be considered a highly informative matrix regarding many key pregnancy events that can shape infant's future health. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The NEHO cohort will enrol an estimated total of 800 pregnant women in three selected National Priority Contaminated Sites in southern Italy. Epidemiological data, concerning maternal health status, lifestyle and pregnancy, are obtained through questionnaires provided to the mother starting from the last 2 months of pregnancy. At delivery, maternal blood, umbilical cord blood and placenta tissue are collected to assess contaminant levels and to clarify how toxicants interact with the placental domain. Furthermore, placental transcriptome is studied in order to explore the interferences of toxicants on the role of the placenta in maternal/fetal interplay. Regular follow-up is planned at 6, 12 and 24 months. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by all the Ethics Committees of the three National Priority Contaminated Sites involved: the Ethics Committee of the University Hospitals of Messina (18 September 2017, n. 9/2017); the Ethics Committee 'Catania 2' (11 July 2017, n. 38/2017/CECT2); the Ethics Committee of the Region of Calabria (20 July 2017, n. 173). Findings will be disseminated in the scientific community and on a regional basis for appropriate policy actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ruggieri
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaspare Drago
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Colombo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessio Alesci
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
- P.O. ’Fogliani', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Messina, Milazzo (ME), Italy
| | - Pasquale Augello
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
- P.O. ’Umberto I', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Siracusa, Siracusa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bisbano
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Antonino Bucolo
- P.O. ’Umberto I', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Siracusa, Siracusa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Dattoli
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Raffaella De Sole
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Valentina La Runa
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
- P.O. di Lentini, Local Health Authority (ASP) of Siracusa, Lentini (SR), Italy
| | - Angela Lopez
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Lucia Lo Presti
- P.O. di Lentini, Local Health Authority (ASP) of Siracusa, Lentini (SR), Italy
| | - Bruno Magliarditi
- P.O. ’Fogliani', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Messina, Milazzo (ME), Italy
| | - Francesco Paravati
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pirillo
- P.O. ’San Giovanni di Dio', Local Health Authority (ASP) of Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Cibella
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
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