title: The Generation R Study: design and cohort update 2012.
abstract: The Generation R Study is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until adulthood. The study is designed to identify early environmental and genetic causes and causal pathways leading to normal and abnormal growth, development and health during fetal life, childhood and adulthood. The study focuses on six areas of research: (1) maternal health; (2) growth and physical development; (3) behavioural and cognitive development; (4) respiratory health and allergies; (5) diseases in childhood; and (6) health and healthcare for children and their parents. Main exposures of interest include environmental, endocrine, genetic and epigenetic, lifestyle related, nutritional and socio-demographic determinants. In total, n = 9,778 mothers with a delivery date from April 2002 until January 2006 were enrolled in the study. Response at baseline was 61 %, and general follow-up rates until the age of 6 years exceed 80 %. Data collection in mothers, fathers and children include questionnaires, detailed physical and ultrasound examinations, behavioural observations, and biological samples. A genome and epigenome wide association screen is available in the participating children. From the age of 5 years, regular detailed hands-on assessments are performed in a dedicated research center including advanced imaging facilities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Eventually, results forthcoming from the Generation R Study contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing health and healthcare for pregnant women and children.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.forename: Cornelia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van Duijn
authors.forename: Oscar H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Albert J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
authors.forename: Marinus H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: van Iizendoorn
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Jongste
authors.forename: Aad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Lugt
authors.forename: Johan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mackenbach
authors.forename: Henriëtte A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raat
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivadeneira
authors.forename: Eric A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.forename: Andre G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Uitterlinden
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires