Brenda M Y Leung1, Gerald F Giesbrecht2, Nicole Letourneau3, Catherine J Field4, Rhonda C Bell4, Deborah Dewey5. 1. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. Electronic address: brenda.leung@uleth.ca. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. 3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. 4. Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. 5. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. The Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study was initiated in 2008 to better understand perinatal environmental impacts on maternal mental health and child development. AIMS: This pregnancy cohort was established to investigate the relationship between the maternal environment (e.g. nutritional status), maternal mental health status, birth outcomes, and child development. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation of this longitudinal cohort, the data collection tools and procedures, and the background characteristics of the participants. SUBJECTS: Participants were pregnant women age 16 or older, their infants and the biological fathers. OUTCOME MEASURES: For the women, data were collected during each trimester of pregnancy and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36months after the birth of their infant. Maternal measures included diet, stress, current mental and physical health, health history, and lifestyle. In addition, maternal biological samples (DNA, blood, urine, and spot breast milk samples) were banked. Paternal data included current mental and physical health, health history, lifestyle, and banked DNA samples. For infants, DNA and blood were collected as well as information on health, development and feeding behavior. RESULTS: At the end of recruitment in 2012, the APrON cohort included 2140 women, 2172 infants, and 1417 biological fathers. Descriptive statistics of the cohort, and comparison of women who stayed in the study and those who dropped out are discussed. CONCLUSION: Findings from the longitudinal cohort may have important implications for health policy and clinical practice.
BACKGROUND:Mental disorders are one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. The Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study was initiated in 2008 to better understand perinatal environmental impacts on maternal mental health and child development. AIMS: This pregnancy cohort was established to investigate the relationship between the maternal environment (e.g. nutritional status), maternal mental health status, birth outcomes, and child development. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation of this longitudinal cohort, the data collection tools and procedures, and the background characteristics of the participants. SUBJECTS:Participants were pregnant women age 16 or older, their infants and the biological fathers. OUTCOME MEASURES: For the women, data were collected during each trimester of pregnancy and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36months after the birth of their infant. Maternal measures included diet, stress, current mental and physical health, health history, and lifestyle. In addition, maternal biological samples (DNA, blood, urine, and spot breast milk samples) were banked. Paternal data included current mental and physical health, health history, lifestyle, and banked DNA samples. For infants, DNA and blood were collected as well as information on health, development and feeding behavior. RESULTS: At the end of recruitment in 2012, the APrON cohort included 2140 women, 2172 infants, and 1417 biological fathers. Descriptive statistics of the cohort, and comparison of women who stayed in the study and those who dropped out are discussed. CONCLUSION: Findings from the longitudinal cohort may have important implications for health policy and clinical practice.
Authors: Anthony J F Reardon; Elham Khodayari Moez; Irina Dinu; Susan Goruk; Catherine J Field; David W Kinniburgh; Amy M MacDonald; Jonathan W Martin Journal: Environ Int Date: 2019-05-28 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Hannah D Scott; Marrissa Buchan; Caylin Chadwick; Catherine J Field; Nicole Letourneau; Tony Montina; Brenda M Y Leung; Gerlinde A S Metz Journal: Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Date: 2020-11-18
Authors: Jenna L Riis; Stephanie H Cook; Nicole Letourneau; Tavis Campbell; Douglas A Granger; Gerald F Giesbrecht Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2022-03-18 Impact factor: 5.555