The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS)

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS) was established to investigate the short- and long-term effects of exposure in early life on health consequences in Guangzhou, China. Data are collected regarding environmental, occupational and lifestyle exposures as well as health outcomes in later life. Biological samples including blood and tissue samples are also collected from the participants.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Over the past three decades, China is undergoing rapidly economic development. At the same time, the Western diet and urban lifestyle has been more common than before, which may lead to an increase of incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases, such as diabetes and malignancies. Notably, the current generation of Chinese adults, particularly those in their middle age or older, were born in an era where hardship and rationing was the norm and witnessed a social and epidemiological transition that might have a profound effect on their present health. In contrast, the younger generation is raised in relative material abundance, under the influence of traditional Chinese values such as a strong family orientation and an emphasis on academic success. A birth cohort with would provide an opportunity to examine the short- and long-term effects of exposure in early life on health consequences in this younger generation, in the context of rapid development in China.

Official Title
-----------------
The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS)

Conditions
-----------------
Neurodevelopment, Intrauterine Hyperglycemia, Pregnancy Outcomes, Immune Development, Childhood Obesity, Host and Microbiome

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: No intervention


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Pregnant women with <20 weeks of gestation Pregnant women intended to eventually deliver in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Permanent residents or families intended to remain in Guangzhou with their child for ≥3 years
Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No treatment<br> | Other: No intervention<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of participant with pregnancy outcomes | Including abortion, stillbirth, live birth, preterm birth, low birth weight and birth defects | At delivery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neurodevelopment during early childhood | Including adaptive, gross motor, fine motor, language, and social function; assessed using Gesell Developmental Schedules and Ages and Stages Questionnaire | At age of 3 years | 
| Weight changes during early childhood | Weight changes from birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year to 3 years | At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years | 
| Height changes during early childhood | Height changes from birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year to 3 years | At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years | 
| Changes of body composition during early childhood | Changes of body composition from birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year to 3 years. Body composition is assessed using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry | At birth, age of 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years |