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Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Study protocol

The LIFE child study: a life course approach to disease and health

Authors: Mirja Quante, Mara Hesse, Mirko Döhnert, Michael Fuchs, Christian Hirsch, Elena Sergeyev, Nora Casprzig, Mandy Geserick, Stephanie Naumann, Christiane Koch, Matthew A Sabin, Andreas Hiemisch, Antje Körner, Wieland Kiess, for the LIFE Child Study Investigators

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Profound knowledge about child growth, development, health, and disease in contemporary children and adolescents is still rare. Epidemiological studies together with new powerful research technologies present exciting opportunities to the elucidation of risk factor-outcome associations with potentially major consequences for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Aim

To conduct a unique prospective longitudinal cohort study in order to assess how environmental, metabolic and genetic factors affect growth, development and health from fetal life to adulthood.

Methods

The ‘Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE) Child Study’ focuses on two main research objectives: (1) monitoring of normal growth, development and health; (2) non-communicable diseases such as childhood obesity and its co-morbidities, atopy and mental health problems. Detailed assessments will be conducted alongside long-term storage of biological samples in 2,000 pregnant women and more than 10,000 children and their families.

Results

Close coordination and engagement of a multidisciplinary team in the LIFE Child study successfully established procedures and systems for balancing many competing study and ethical needs. Full participant recruitment and complete data collection started in July 2011. Early data indicate a high acceptance rate of the study program, successful recruitment strategies and the establishment of a representative cohort for the population of Leipzig. A series of subprojects are ongoing, and analyses and publications are on their way.

Discussion

This paper addresses key elements in the design and implementation of the new prospective longitudinal cohort study LIFE Child. Given the recognized need for long-term data on adverse effects on health and protective factors, our study data collection should provide magnificent opportunities to examine complex interactions that govern the emergence of non-communicable diseases.
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Metadata
Title
The LIFE child study: a life course approach to disease and health
Authors
Mirja Quante
Mara Hesse
Mirko Döhnert
Michael Fuchs
Christian Hirsch
Elena Sergeyev
Nora Casprzig
Mandy Geserick
Stephanie Naumann
Christiane Koch
Matthew A Sabin
Andreas Hiemisch
Antje Körner
Wieland Kiess
for the LIFE Child Study Investigators
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-1021

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