The MothersBabies Study, an Australian Prospective Cohort Study Analyzing the Microbiome in the Preconception and Perinatal Period to Determine Risk of Adverse Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Child-Related Health Outcomes: Study Protocol

Naomi Strout, Lana Pasic, Chloe Hicks, Xin-Yi Chua, Niki Tashvighi, Phoebe Butler, Zhixin Liu, Fatima El-Assaad, Elaine Holmes, Daniella Susic, Katherine Samaras, Maria E. Craig, Gregory K. Davis, Amanda Henry, William L. Ledger and Emad M. El-Omar ()
Additional contact information
Naomi Strout: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Lana Pasic: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Chloe Hicks: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Xin-Yi Chua: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Niki Tashvighi: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Phoebe Butler: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Zhixin Liu: UNSW Stats Central, Biological Sciences South Building (E26), Level 2 Kensington, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Fatima El-Assaad: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Elaine Holmes: The Australian National Phenome Centre, Harry Perkins Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
Daniella Susic: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Katherine Samaras: Complex Diseases Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
Maria E. Craig: Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Gregory K. Davis: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
Amanda Henry: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
William L. Ledger: Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Emad M. El-Omar: UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: The microbiome has emerged as a key determinant of human health and reproduction, with recent evidence suggesting a dysbiotic microbiome is implicated in adverse perinatal health outcomes. The existing research has been limited by the sample collection and timing, cohort design, sample design, and lack of data on the preconception microbiome. This prospective, longitudinal cohort study will recruit 2000 Australian women, in order to fully explore the role of the microbiome in the development of adverse perinatal outcomes. Participants are enrolled for a maximum of 7 years, from 1 year preconception, through to 5 years postpartum. Assessment occurs every three months until pregnancy occurs, then during Trimester 1 (5 + 0–12 + 6 weeks gestation), Trimester 2 (20 + 0–24 + 6 weeks gestation), Trimester 3 (32 + 0–36 + 6 weeks gestation), and postpartum at 1 week, 2 months, 6 months, and then annually from 1 to 5 years. At each assessment, maternal participants self-collect oral, skin, vaginal, urine, and stool samples. Oral, skin, urine, and stool samples will be collected from children. Blood samples will be obtained from maternal participants who can access a study collection center. The measurements taken will include anthropometric, blood pressure, heart rate, and serum hormonal and metabolic parameters. Validated self-report questionnaires will be administered to assess diet, physical activity, mental health, and child developmental milestones. Medications, medical, surgical, obstetric history, the impact of COVID-19, living environments, and pregnancy and child health outcomes will be recorded. Multiomic bioinformatic and statistical analyses will assess the association between participants who developed high-risk and low-risk pregnancies, adverse postnatal conditions, and/or childhood disease, and their microbiome for the different sample types.

Keywords: microbiome; preconception; pregnancy; postpartum; perinatal health; women’s health; child health; reproduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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