Methodological aspects of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study.
This paper describes the main methodological aspects of a cohort study, with emphasis on its recent phases, which may be relevant to investigators planning to carry out similar studies. In 1993, a population based study was launched in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. All 5,249 newborns delivered in the city's hospitals were enrolled, and sub-samples were visited at the ages of one, three and six months and of one and four years. In 2004-5 it was possible to trace 87.5% of the cohort at the age of 10-12 years. Sub-studies are addressing issues related to oral health, psychological development and mental health, body composition, and ethnography. Birth cohort studies are essential for investigating the early determinants of adult disease and nutritional status, yet few such studies are available from low and middle-income countries where these determinants may differ from those documented in more developed settings.
Victora
Cesar Gomes
CG
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. cvictora@terra.com.br
Araújo
Cora Luiza Pavin
CL
Menezes
Ana Maria Batista
AM
Hallal
Pedro Curi
PC
Vieira
Maria de Fátima
Mde F
Neutzling
Marilda Borges
MB
Gonçalves
Helen
H
Valle
Neiva Cristina
NC
Lima
Rosangela Costa
RC
Anselmi
Luciana
L
Behague
Dominique
D
Gigante
Denise Petrucci
DP
Barros
Fernando Celso
FC
D001938:Brazil; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012107:Research Design