The 2-BIG is a twin birth cohort study located in Guangzhou, China.Its initial aim is to facilitate research on understanding the interplay between genes and environmental factors on disease etiology. Data are collected regarding environmental, family and lifestyle exposures on twins from birth to 18 years old. Biological samples including blood and tissue samples are also collected from the twins and their parents.
Twins share the same intrauterine environment and the early family environment. When conducting research of chronic disease etiology, twins cohort can be a good control of bias from age, gender, genetic and early environment. Twin-based designs provide an estimate of the relative contribution of genetic and non-genetic factors to a specific phenotype. Twins study has an advantage of calculating heritability of traits. Since heritability of traits is various from different populations. It is important to establish database to calculate the heritability of traits associated with chronic major diseases in Chinese population. Twins cohort is rare in China at present. Therefore, extensive information including physical characteristics, mental health, and behaviors is collected from both twins and their parents. Longitudinal follow-up and surveillance of common diseases are also to be conducted. The 2-BIG aims to explore epigenetic markers and genes related to health status, as well as gene-environment interactions on diseases, both in intrauterine and childhood stages, especially in Chinese population.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,000
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
RECRUITINGNeurodevelopment at early childhood
Including adaptive, gross motor, fine motor, language, and social function; assessed using Gesell Developmental Schedules.
Time frame: At age of 1 year old
Intelligence quotient
Assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition including 5 verbal and 3 performance subtests. Intelligence quotient ranges 40-160, in which under 70 is defined as mental retardation. The total score was calculated by an online system.
Time frame: At age of 6 years old
Change of gene expression during childhood
DNA methylation, histone acetylation etc. assessed by analyses of blood samples
Time frame: Age at 1 year , 6 years, 12years and 18years
Change of intestinal flora during early childhood
Assessed by analyses of stool samples
Time frame: Age at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year , 3 years,6 years, 12years and 18years
Changes of body composition and bone density during early childhood
Body composition and bone density are assessed using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Time frame: At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year , 3 years,6 years, 12years and 18years
Height in kilometer changes during childhood
Measured by nurses in clinic
Time frame: At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years,6 years, 12years and 18year
Weight in kilogram changes during childhood
Measured by nurses in clinic
Time frame: At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years,6 years, 12years and 18year
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