In the PRINCE study we recruit healthy but also diseased pregnant women into a cohort study, followed by the assessment of children´s health and immunity at birth and during the first 10 years of life. This unique cohort allows for testing the impact of prenatal challenges on children´s health.
Children´s Health is critically dependent of the prenatal well-being of the mother, and a number of observational studies have identified an impaired immunity in children upon prenatal challenges, such as stress perception, medication, nutrition or infection. However, concerted, in-depth studies assessing how such prenatal challenges may alter fetal development and subsequently children´s health in humans are largely lacking. In the present project, we address this limitation by recruiting healthy, but also diseased pregnant women into a cohort study, followed up by the assessment of children´s health and immunity at birth and during the first ten years of life. Study participants are recruited early in the first trimester (12-15 weeks of gestation). By means of data security all participants receive a study number. Data processing into the data base (Redcap) is performed under this pseudonym. During the first visit, the study team explains the enrollment conditions and the participants are asked to give their consent. Study visits include the documentation of clinically important conditions, sonographic examination of the fetus, assessment of mother´s height and weight as well as blood collection (21 ml) of the mother. Additionally we document any kind of medication-intake and nutrition data, and the participants are asked to fill in a psychometric questionnaire. Study visits are scheduled according to the week of gestation, i.e. around 13th, 20th (ultrasound only), 24th, 28th, 34th week. If women give birth in our clinic, we are able to collect cord blood after birth. Blood samples are processed immediately and stored in our laboratory under Biobank-conditions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,000
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Hamburg, Germany
RECRUITINGTypes of allergic diseases in childhood
The different types of allergic diseases are assessed by a yearly questionnaire, a pediatric examination and lung function testing of the child aged 5 and 9 1/2 years, as well as analysing blood samples of the child aged 5 and 9 1/2 years. Main allergies we measure are inhalation allergens and infant food.
Time frame: 10 years follow up
influences during pregnancy that potentially affect children´s health
assessed by maternal examination during pregnancy including ultrasound in every trimester
Time frame: 10 years follow up
influences during pregnancy that potentially affect children´s health
assessed by questionaire every trimester with questions about nutrition, infections, medication, stress (...)
Time frame: 10 years follow up
influences during pregnancy that potentially affect children´s health
assessed by analysing blood samples of the mother in every trimester and analysing cord blood
Time frame: 10 years follow up
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.