Intrauterine Exposures and Maternal Health Status during Pregnancy in Relation to Later Child Health: A Review of Pregnancy Cohort Studies in Europe

Chiara Pandolfini, Cristian Ricci, Linda Precious Siziba, Sebastian Huhn, Jon Genuneit and Maurizio Bonati
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Chiara Pandolfini: Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Department of Public Health, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
Cristian Ricci: Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Linda Precious Siziba: Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Sebastian Huhn: Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Jon Genuneit: Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Maurizio Bonati: Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Department of Public Health, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: We show a description of pregnancy cohorts in the European region. Our investigation identified 66 pregnancy cohorts, mostly hosted in Western Central Europe. Among these 66 cohorts, 24 began recruitment before the year 2000, while six cohorts are still enrolling. The most common topics were lifestyle, environment and nutrition with allergies and neurodevelopment being a minority. We observed a pattern of positive correlations between data collected using medical records, structured interviews, and the collection of biological samples. Objectively assessed data were negatively correlated with self-administered questionnaires. Eight cohorts addressed intrauterine exposure, focusing on environmental pollutants such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The effects of these compounds on the developing foetus have been studied greatly, but more research on their effects is still needed. Many cohorts investigated genetics through the collection of biological samples from the mothers and children, to improve knowledge on the mother-to-child transmission of genetic information, antibodies, microbiota, etc. Paediatric epidemiology represents an important field of research since preserving healthy lives from conception onwards is the most efficient way to improve population health. According to our report, it seems that this field of research is well developed in Europe, where numerous high profile studies are currently ongoing.

Keywords: pregnancy cohort; pediatrics; pediatric epidemiology; prospective studies; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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