Table 1b.
Major ongoing large-scale birth cohort studies with a major component on environmental factors.
| Study | Country | Sample size | Characteristics and comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Children’s Study [37] | US | 100,000 | Recruitment 2009–2015? (pre-conception) in communities/families. Pilot recruitment phase. Follow ups of pregnancy at the 1st trimester (home, as early as possible), 2nd trimester (phone), 3rd trimester (28–30 wks, clinics), delivery, and the infant at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 mo. Data collection by in-person (home, clinics) and tele-interviews. Two fetal ultrasound exams (1st, 3rd trimester). Biologic specimens include blood, urine, hair, and nail clippings from mothers (pre-conception, 1st and 3rd trimester) and children (birth, 1-y, later?); blood, urine, and hair from fathers; cord blood, umbilical cord and placental tissues, and meconium collected at or around the time of delivery; vaginal swabs (pre-conception, 1st and 3rd trimester), saliva and breast milk from mothers. Environmental samples include air, dust, soil, food, and water at home places. Hope to follow-up infants at 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 21 y. Center-specific adjunct studies expected. Best protocol in science on ECs. Best-in-science design, heavy participant burden (34 h/visit, many specimens). Most costly, future funding uncertain. http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx |
| Maternal and Infant Research on Environmental Contaminants (MIREC) pregnancy cohort [38] | Canada | 2000 | Recruitment 2008–2011 (1st trimester, 6–13 wks) in 10 obstetric hospitals in nine cities. Specifically focused on ECs. Follow ups of pregnancy at the 2nd trimester (16–21), 3rd trimester (32–34 wks), delivery, and the infant at 2–8 wks, 6 mo of age. Data collection by in-person interviews (mostly at hospitals, infant home visits at 2–6 wks). Biologic specimens include blood, urine and hairs from mothers (1st. 2nd, 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and delivery); cord blood, placental tissues, and meconium collected at the time of delivery; breast milk (2–6 wks) from mothers. Last follow-up at 6-mo to assess infant growth, neuro-behavioural and sensory development. Modest participant burdens (1–2 h/visit, many specimens). Low recruitment but high retention rates. Future infant follow-ups (>6 mo) and funding uncertain. http://mirec-canada.ca/ |
| The Integrated Research Network in Perinatology of Quebec (IRNPQ) pregnancy cohort [39] | Canada, Quebec and Eastern Ontario | 5000 | Recruitment 2009–2012 (1st trimester, 10–13 wks) in 8 obstetric hospitals in four cities. ECs are one of the primary exposures. Follow ups of pregnancy at the 2nd trimester (20–24), 3rd trimester (32–35 wks), delivery, and the infant at 3, 12 and 24 mo of age. 3rd trimester ultrasound estimated fetal weight, Doppler exam of placenta sufficiency for pregnancies at risk of FGR (fetal growth restriction). Data collection by in-person interviews in hospitals. Biologic specimens include blood, urine and hairs from mothers (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester and delivery); Vaginal fluids at 1st and 2nd trimester; cord section, cord blood, placental tissues and meconium samples at delivery; paternal blood; infant blood at 2-y. Modest to high participant burden (1–3 h/visit, many specimens). Future infant follow-ups (>2 y) and funding uncertain. http://www.irnpqeo.ca/ |