Pregnancy and birth cohorts in Europe: An overview

A birth cohort study is a form of study that uses expectant mothers and their subsequent newborns as research participants. Data is collected in order to identify health consequences and overall health outcomes of environment and lifestyle on pregnancy and childbirth. The main aim of this paper is to review and summarize all cohort studies that have been carried out or are still being conducted in Europe in last 80 years, as well as general information such as aim of the study, number of participants and duration of follow-up. Gathering information was made easier by websites such as Birthcohorts, CHICOS and LifeCycle, where many of the cohorts and their sources are listed. The remaining data was found by searching Google Scholar, PubMed and similar webpages, using keywords ‘birth and pregnancy cohorts’, ‘infants’, ‘pregnancies’, ‘allergies’ and ‘childhood obesity’. Overall, 137 cohorts in 27 countries were found. Cohort studies are an efficient method for assessing cause and effect. The focus is on the general health and well-being of mothers and children and as such provides a good approach to establishing a link between risk factors and outcomes. In epidemiological research, especially those concerning some of the biggest problems of the 21st century, such as obesity, type II diabetes and coronary heart disease, cohort studies make a valuable contribution. In last 80 years the number of studies has been increasing and with it the number of new insights. Collaboration between different birth cohorts is crucial for further harmonization of collected data and their use in the public health systems worldwide

Maternal Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Newborns` Anthropometry-The Preface From the CRIBS Study

Health benefits of physical activity during pregnancy include reduced risk of excessive gestational weight gain and conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and preterm birth. The ongoing CRoatian Islands Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS) is the first cohort study in the South-Eastern Europe with an aim to assess the prevalence of risk factors (biological, environmental and behavioral) for the Metabolic Syndrome in populations from Dalmatian islands of Hvar and Brač and coastal Split city with its surroundings. At the time of writing, Over 350 pregnant women and 220 of their newborns have been involved in the study. Here we present the preliminary results of testing the association of mothers` self-estimated physical activity during pregnancy with newborns` anthropometric characteristics (birth weight, length and head circumference) using the data from questionnaires and obstetric records of 116 mother – newborn pairs. The difference in weight-at-birth was detected between newborn girls whose mothers were from Low vs. Intensive physical activity categories, as well as from Moderate vs. Intensive physical activity categories. In addition to that, the significant difference in weight-at-birth and height/length-at-birth was detected between newborn boys whose mothers were from Moderate vs. Intensive physical activity categories (p<0.01). No association between self-estimated level of physical activity and mothers’ body mass index was found. For women with normal pregnancies, light occupational activities do not cause problems with the fetal growth rate, but the same was not reported for women who maintained high-intensity activities

Impact of pre-pregnancy BMI on blood glucose levels in pregnancy and on the anthropometry of newborns – preliminary insights from the Croatian Islands\u27 Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS)

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and fasting blood glucose level in pregnancy on the anthropometry of newborns. The sample consisted of 171 healthy pregnant women and their newborns from the Croatian Islands\u27 Birth Cohort Study. Peripheral blood of pregnant women was taken in the second trimester and fasting glucose values >5.1 mmol/l were considered elevated. Anthropometric variables (body weight, height and waist circumference) were measured according to the International Biological Program. Pre-pregnancy BMI and fasting glucose levels during pregnancy were significantly positively correlated (p<0,01), as were pre-pregnancy BMI and birth weight (p<0,05), length (p<0,01), and head circumference (p<0,05) of the newborns. Hyperglycaemic women gave birth to significantly heavier newborn girls then normal glycaemic women (p<0.05). In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between pre-pregnancy BMI, fasting glucose during pregnancy and the anthropometry of newborns in this study

Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy and its Association with Newborns` Body Size in Dalmatia, Croatia – The Preliminary Results of the Croatian Islands Birth Cohort Study

A pregnant woman’s nutrition has an impact on her offspring’s birth size. Although health benefits of Mediterranean diet are widely confirmed, the poor compliance with its recommendations has been detected in the population of Dalmatia, coastal region of Croatia. Data from 122 mother–newborn pairs, participants in the ongoing Croatian Islands` Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS), were analyzed: (1) to test whether pregnant women in the study consume Mediterranean diet that is traditional in this area, and (2) to examine the association of maternal diet in pregnancy with newborns` birth weight, length and head circumference. The preliminary results of the factor analysis of 20 items from Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) resulted in two significant factors, both having positive loading with the components of Mediterranean diet. Factor 1 had highest positive loadings for blue fish, white fish, olive oil and fatty cheese consumption consistent with the Mediterranean diet and Factor 2 had highest loading coefficients for fermented milk products (yogurt), sea food, cereals and legumes. Linear regression analyses resulted in model for weight at birth (R2=0.071, p<0.05) which included as predictors living location (island or mainland) and FFQ Factor 2, which was also, in combination with moderate physical activity, predictive for newborns with z-scored weight at birth values above 15% of the lowest values in the logistic regression model. Pregnant women from the CRIBS study mostly follow Mediterranean diet but its association with weight at birth, although found in this research, has to be confirmed on a bigger sample

Impact of pre-pregnancy BMI on blood glucose levels in pregnancy and on the anthropometry of newborns – preliminary insights from the Croatian Islands' Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS)

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and fasting blood glucose level in pregnancy on the anthropometry of newborns. The sample consisted of 171 healthy pregnant women and their newborns from the Croatian Islands’ Birth Cohort Study. Peripheral blood of pregnant women was taken in the second trimester and fasting glucose values >5.1 mmol/l were considered elevated. Anthropometric variables (body weight, height and waist circumference) were measured according to the International Biological Program. Pre-pregnancy BMI and fasting glucose levels during pregnancy were significantly positively correlated (p<0,01), as were pre-pregnancy BMI and birth weight (p<0,05), length (p<0,01), and head circumference (p<0,05) of the newborns. Hyperglycaemic women gave birth to significantly heavier newborn girls then normal glycaemic women (p<0.05). In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between pre-pregnancy BMI, fasting glucose during pregnancy and the anthropometry of newborns in this study

Relationship of stress and depression in pregnant woman with pregnancy outcomes and anthropometry of newborn

Provedeno je istraživanje dio Kohortne studije rođenih na istočnojadranskim otocima. Ispitivana je povezanost stresa i depresivnosti u trudnica s ishodom trudnoće i antropometrijskim mjerama novorođenčeta na uzorku od 435 zdravih trudnica iz Splitsko-dalmatinske županije. Prosječan rezultat razine stresa iznosio je 16,04 ± 26,76 (SD), a razine depresivnosti 6,78 ± 4,49 (SD). Od 435 novorođenčadi njih 409 rođeno je u terminu, a 26 je rođeno prije termina. Od 435 novorođenčeta 361 je u kategoriji AGA-i, 41 je u kategoriji SGA-i, a 33 je u kategoriji LGA-i. Povezanosti stresa i depresivnosti s terminom porođaja i WGAom nisu se pokazale statistički značajnim. Značajnim se pokazala povezanost razine depresivnosti i koncentracija ukupnoga kolesterola i LDL kolesterola te viša razina depresivnosti u ispitanica niže razine obrazovanja te u nezaposlenih. Znatne su razlike u kategorijama novorođenčadi WGA pri promjenama u razinama sistoličkog i dijastoličkog tlaka unutar prosječnih razina. Ispitanice koje nisu imale preeklampsiju imaju više novorođenčadi AGA, a u onih s preeklampsijom više je novorođenčadi SGA. Viša razina glukoze povezana je s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase te je veći ITM prije trudnoće povezan s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase, duljine te u skladu s time i više novorođenčadi LGA. Regresijski analitički model pokazao je da ni jedan prediktor nije važan za kriterij termin porođaja ni za kriterij AGA-u. Primjenom SMOTE-a za logističku regresiju važnim prediktorima za porođaj prije termina pokazali su se: LDL kolesterol i stresni događaji, a za porođaj u terminu: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, dijastolički tlak, ITM prije trudnoće, stres i pušenje. Važnim prediktorima za kriterij AGA/Da pokazali su se: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, stresni događaji, depresivnost i pušenje. Najboljim modelom strojnog učenja pokazala se slučajna šuma sa SMOTE-om čiji skup izlaznih podataka SHAP pokazuje rezultate djelomično u skladu s onima dobivenim u logističkoj regresiji primjenom SMOTE-a. Algoritmi strojnog učenja pokazali su se točnim u predikciji termina porođaja i WGA.This study gives insights from CRIBS. We have investigated the association of stress and depressiveness with pregnancy outcome and anthropometric measures of newborn on healthy pregnant women from Split-Dalmatia County. The associations of stress and depressiveness with the date of birth and WGA were not statistically significant. Significant associations were between depressiveness and both TC and LDL. Depressiveness was higher among participants with lower educational level and those unemployed. There was significant difference in WGA with changes in SBP and DBP within average levels. Participants without preeclampsia have more newborns AGA while those with preeclampsia have more newborns SGA. A higher glucose level was associated with the birth of heavier newborns and higher ITM before pregnancy was associated with the birth of heavier, longer and more newborns LGA. Logistic regression with SMOTE showed that significant predictors for preterm birth were: LDL and stressful events, for term birth: employment, education, DBP, prepregnancy BMI, stress and smoking while for the AGA/Yes criteria were: employment, education, stressful events, depressiveness and smoking. Model random forest results were partially consistent with those in logistic regression both using SMOTE. Machine learning algorithms have proven to be accurate in predicting birth date and WGA

Relationship of stress and depression in pregnant woman with pregnancy outcomes and anthropometry of newborn

Provedeno je istraživanje dio Kohortne studije rođenih na istočnojadranskim otocima. Ispitivana je povezanost stresa i depresivnosti u trudnica s ishodom trudnoće i antropometrijskim mjerama novorođenčeta na uzorku od 435 zdravih trudnica iz Splitsko-dalmatinske županije. Prosječan rezultat razine stresa iznosio je 16,04 ± 26,76 (SD), a razine depresivnosti 6,78 ± 4,49 (SD). Od 435 novorođenčadi njih 409 rođeno je u terminu, a 26 je rođeno prije termina. Od 435 novorođenčeta 361 je u kategoriji AGA-i, 41 je u kategoriji SGA-i, a 33 je u kategoriji LGA-i. Povezanosti stresa i depresivnosti s terminom porođaja i WGAom nisu se pokazale statistički značajnim. Značajnim se pokazala povezanost razine depresivnosti i koncentracija ukupnoga kolesterola i LDL kolesterola te viša razina depresivnosti u ispitanica niže razine obrazovanja te u nezaposlenih. Znatne su razlike u kategorijama novorođenčadi WGA pri promjenama u razinama sistoličkog i dijastoličkog tlaka unutar prosječnih razina. Ispitanice koje nisu imale preeklampsiju imaju više novorođenčadi AGA, a u onih s preeklampsijom više je novorođenčadi SGA. Viša razina glukoze povezana je s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase te je veći ITM prije trudnoće povezan s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase, duljine te u skladu s time i više novorođenčadi LGA. Regresijski analitički model pokazao je da ni jedan prediktor nije važan za kriterij termin porođaja ni za kriterij AGA-u. Primjenom SMOTE-a za logističku regresiju važnim prediktorima za porođaj prije termina pokazali su se: LDL kolesterol i stresni događaji, a za porođaj u terminu: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, dijastolički tlak, ITM prije trudnoće, stres i pušenje. Važnim prediktorima za kriterij AGA/Da pokazali su se: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, stresni događaji, depresivnost i pušenje. Najboljim modelom strojnog učenja pokazala se slučajna šuma sa SMOTE-om čiji skup izlaznih podataka SHAP pokazuje rezultate djelomično u skladu s onima dobivenim u logističkoj regresiji primjenom SMOTE-a. Algoritmi strojnog učenja pokazali su se točnim u predikciji termina porođaja i WGA.This study gives insights from CRIBS. We have investigated the association of stress and depressiveness with pregnancy outcome and anthropometric measures of newborn on healthy pregnant women from Split-Dalmatia County. The associations of stress and depressiveness with the date of birth and WGA were not statistically significant. Significant associations were between depressiveness and both TC and LDL. Depressiveness was higher among participants with lower educational level and those unemployed. There was significant difference in WGA with changes in SBP and DBP within average levels. Participants without preeclampsia have more newborns AGA while those with preeclampsia have more newborns SGA. A higher glucose level was associated with the birth of heavier newborns and higher ITM before pregnancy was associated with the birth of heavier, longer and more newborns LGA. Logistic regression with SMOTE showed that significant predictors for preterm birth were: LDL and stressful events, for term birth: employment, education, DBP, prepregnancy BMI, stress and smoking while for the AGA/Yes criteria were: employment, education, stressful events, depressiveness and smoking. Model random forest results were partially consistent with those in logistic regression both using SMOTE. Machine learning algorithms have proven to be accurate in predicting birth date and WGA

Relationship of stress and depression in pregnant woman with pregnancy outcomes and anthropometry of newborn

Provedeno je istraživanje dio Kohortne studije rođenih na istočnojadranskim otocima. Ispitivana je povezanost stresa i depresivnosti u trudnica s ishodom trudnoće i antropometrijskim mjerama novorođenčeta na uzorku od 435 zdravih trudnica iz Splitsko-dalmatinske županije. Prosječan rezultat razine stresa iznosio je 16,04 ± 26,76 (SD), a razine depresivnosti 6,78 ± 4,49 (SD). Od 435 novorođenčadi njih 409 rođeno je u terminu, a 26 je rođeno prije termina. Od 435 novorođenčeta 361 je u kategoriji AGA-i, 41 je u kategoriji SGA-i, a 33 je u kategoriji LGA-i. Povezanosti stresa i depresivnosti s terminom porođaja i WGAom nisu se pokazale statistički značajnim. Značajnim se pokazala povezanost razine depresivnosti i koncentracija ukupnoga kolesterola i LDL kolesterola te viša razina depresivnosti u ispitanica niže razine obrazovanja te u nezaposlenih. Znatne su razlike u kategorijama novorođenčadi WGA pri promjenama u razinama sistoličkog i dijastoličkog tlaka unutar prosječnih razina. Ispitanice koje nisu imale preeklampsiju imaju više novorođenčadi AGA, a u onih s preeklampsijom više je novorođenčadi SGA. Viša razina glukoze povezana je s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase te je veći ITM prije trudnoće povezan s rađanjem djece veće porođajne mase, duljine te u skladu s time i više novorođenčadi LGA. Regresijski analitički model pokazao je da ni jedan prediktor nije važan za kriterij termin porođaja ni za kriterij AGA-u. Primjenom SMOTE-a za logističku regresiju važnim prediktorima za porođaj prije termina pokazali su se: LDL kolesterol i stresni događaji, a za porođaj u terminu: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, dijastolički tlak, ITM prije trudnoće, stres i pušenje. Važnim prediktorima za kriterij AGA/Da pokazali su se: zaposlenost, obrazovanje, stresni događaji, depresivnost i pušenje. Najboljim modelom strojnog učenja pokazala se slučajna šuma sa SMOTE-om čiji skup izlaznih podataka SHAP pokazuje rezultate djelomično u skladu s onima dobivenim u logističkoj regresiji primjenom SMOTE-a. Algoritmi strojnog učenja pokazali su se točnim u predikciji termina porođaja i WGA.This study gives insights from CRIBS. We have investigated the association of stress and depressiveness with pregnancy outcome and anthropometric measures of newborn on healthy pregnant women from Split-Dalmatia County. The associations of stress and depressiveness with the date of birth and WGA were not statistically significant. Significant associations were between depressiveness and both TC and LDL. Depressiveness was higher among participants with lower educational level and those unemployed. There was significant difference in WGA with changes in SBP and DBP within average levels. Participants without preeclampsia have more newborns AGA while those with preeclampsia have more newborns SGA. A higher glucose level was associated with the birth of heavier newborns and higher ITM before pregnancy was associated with the birth of heavier, longer and more newborns LGA. Logistic regression with SMOTE showed that significant predictors for preterm birth were: LDL and stressful events, for term birth: employment, education, DBP, prepregnancy BMI, stress and smoking while for the AGA/Yes criteria were: employment, education, stressful events, depressiveness and smoking. Model random forest results were partially consistent with those in logistic regression both using SMOTE. Machine learning algorithms have proven to be accurate in predicting birth date and WGA