LLNEXT, prenatal and early life data in Lifelines

To study intrinsic and external factors for health development in early
childhood cohort studies including immune status and microbiome, longitudinal
data in prenatal and early life of both the pregnant women and the newborns are
needed. We aim to build a birth cohort within Lifelines and include at least
1500 pregnant LL participants. This will enable us using -omics techniques to
correlate genomic, epigenetic, serological, metabolomic, microbiomic, medical,
social and environmental factors to early life health.

To investigate the effect of early life or pre-conceptional transgenerational
events on healthy ageing and chronic disease in (early) childhood.
Eventually this may lead to determine parameters for (early) life health and
its impact on health. We will first relate microbiome (using metagenomic
sequencing) to early life development and early life events.

This is a non-therapeutic observational study with an expected duration of 3
years.

The study involves venepuncture, collection of nasal, mouth and vaginal smears,
placenta, stool, breast milk, exhaled breath and urine samples longitudinally
in mother and child. We will assess lung function in the new-borns. Data on
medical, environmental and social data acquired from questionnaires. In total
we will collect 2x30 ml venous blood from the mother, 1x max 10 ml of cord
blood, 3x max 1 ml capillary blood and 1x max 1 ml venous blood from the child.
In total a maximum of 19 bio samples from the child and 24 from the mother will
be taken. A maximum of 21 questionnaires about the child*s health and 26 about
the mothers/caregivers life style will be filled out. The sample collection
will be performed as much as possible by the participant herself at home at 9
timepoints. Samples drawn by healthcare professionals will be taken at 7
timepoints during home visits or regular contact moments with health care
professionals. There are no adverse events anticipated to be associated with
these procedures.