Abstract
BackgroundThe Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study was launched in 2013 to evaluate the complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors in multifactorial diseases. The present study describes the maternal baseline profile and perinatal data of participating mothers and infants.MethodsExpectant mothers living in Miyagi Prefecture were recruited from obstetric facilities or affiliated centers between 2013 and 2017. Three sets of self-administered questionnaires were collected, and the medical records were reviewed to obtain precise information about each antenatal visit and each delivery. Biospecimens, including blood, urine, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk, were collected for the study biobank. The baseline maternal sociodemographic characteristics, results of screening tests, and obstetric outcomes were analyzed according to the maternal age group.ResultsA total of 23,406 pregnancies involving 23,730 fetuses resulted in 23,143 live births. Younger maternal participants had a tendency toward a higher incidence of threatened abortion and threatened premature labor, while older age groups exhibited a significantly higher rate of low lying placenta, placenta previa, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.ConclusionsThe present study clearly shows the distribution of maternal baseline characteristics and the range of perinatal outcomes according to maternal age group. This cohort study can provide strategic information for creating breakthroughs in the pathophysiology of perinatal, developmental, and noncommunicable diseases by collaborative data visiting or sharing.
Highlights
Accumulating evidence for the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)[3,4] suggests that the intrauterine environment plays an important role of the onset of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mainly through effects on the maternal or placental factors
The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project (TMM), established by the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) and the Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, was started in February 2012 to provide maximal efforts to reconstruct damaged health care services in areas severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE).[17,18]
In the TMM BirThree Cohort Study, all obstetric facilities in the prefecture were asked to participate for the study
Summary
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are defined as chronic diseases caused by the interaction of genetic, physiologic, environmental, and behavioral factors.[1,2] Accumulating evidence for the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)[3,4] suggests that the intrauterine environment plays an important role of the onset of NCDs, mainly through effects on the maternal or placental factors. Nine years have passed since the earthquake, and the official toll is 19,689 people confirmed dead and 2,563 still missing.[13] Perinatal medical support systems were affected by the GEJE,[14] leading to concerns about short- and long-term health problems in mothers and infants.[15,16] The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project (TMM), established by the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) and the Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, was started in February 2012 to provide maximal efforts to reconstruct damaged health care services in areas severely affected by the GEJE.[17,18] The TMM Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study (BirThree Cohort Study) was launched in 2013 to evaluate the complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors using information about in utero and subsequent pediatric exposures, and about maternal, pediatric, and family outcomes by evaluating a birth cohort and members of three generations.[19] The detailed study design has been reported elsewhere[19]; briefly, expectant mothers were recruited from obstetric facilities, with subsequent recruitment of their family members. The present study describes the maternal baseline profile and perinatal data of participating mothers and infants
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