title: Polish mother and child cohort study (REPRO_PL)--methodology of follow-up of the children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A prospective cohort study design gives the opportunity for identification, update of different exposures and their verification by biomarker measurements. The aim of The Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) is to evaluate the impact of exposure to different environmental factors during pregnancy and, after birth, on the pregnancy outcome, children's health and neurodevelopment.
  
  
  METHODS
  REPRO_PL cohort was established in 2007. From the cohort of 1300 mother-child pairs, 300 children are followed-up until they are two years old to asses the exposure, health status and neurodevelopment. Children are examined twice: at one and two years of age by a pediatrician and a psychologist/child development specialist. During each visit, detailed questionnaire is conducted with the mothers and supplemented with the information from the medical charts to have appropriate recognition of the child's health and development. Additionally, the current health status of the child is checked and his/her biometry is performed. A urine sample is collected from each child for the verification of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure. Some children have a blood sample collected for the assessment of the lead and cadmium levels. Child's neurodevelopment is assessed based on Bayley Scales for Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study will become available within the next few years and will help to determine the impact of the environmental exposures on children's health and neurodevelopment. REPRO_PL cohort is a middle-sized cohort, very much focused on specific research questions with the potential for future extension and cooperation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. kinga@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Polańska
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hanke
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jurewicz
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sobala
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nafstad
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnus
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution