Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study

Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study

The Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study was set up to investigate the effect of early life environmental exposures on short- and long-term health consequences in Shenzhen, China.

Shenzhen Birth Cohort (Xinmiao Project) is a scientific research/public health project under the support of Shenzhen city and Nanshan district, which was jointly initiated by Nanshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen and school of public health, Sun Yat-sen University. The project plans to recruit 10,000 participants in early pregnancy and follow up for seven years in the first stage. Biological samples, questionnaires and data for child growth and development, disease and health will be collected. The study is aimed to provide evidence for DOHaD Hypothesis and find the prevention and control measures for some childhood diseases. The core members of the research team are composed of experts from different disciplines in the field of public health, including 4 professors and 3 associate professors. With the support of an executive sponsor, the project is undertaken by the Birth Cohort Study Center. Currently, the center has 3 staff form hospital (one doctor and two masters ) and 5-7 master candidates from Sun Yat-sen University. It is an energetic and enthusiastic team.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. Pregnant women plan to delivery and participate in child care in our hospital; 2. Pregnant women plan to reside in Shenzhen for at least 7 years; 3. Pregnant women who show interest in the study and agree to provide informed consent; 4. Gestational weeks are less than 20 weeks.Those who will agree that their neonatal will be included in the study and be followed up regularly in our child health clinic until an age of 7 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women who have been pregnant for more than 20 weeks; refuse to participate; unable to guarantee delivery in our hospital or can't participate in child care in our hospital; mentally incapacitated and need guardians; or be unwilling to sign informed consent.