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Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP): Study design and cohort update
Elisa Kantorczyk1, Grzegorz Domanski1, Anja Erika Lange1
1Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Insights
This study followed children from a German birth cohort to examine how early life factors impact later health. The findings will help understand long-term health trajectories for population health research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health Research
- Longitudinal Cohort Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Newborn health is a significant concern, with emerging evidence linking fetal and perinatal factors to long-term health outcomes.
- The Follow-up of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP-I-Follow-up) is the first follow-up of the SNiP-I population-based birth cohort in northeast Germany.
Purpose of the Study:
- To collect longitudinal data on children and adolescents.
- To analyze associations between pregnancy/perinatal risk factors and health status in infancy and later childhood.
Main Methods:
- The SNiP-I cohort study in Pomerania, Germany, involved mothers from Feb 2002-Nov 2008.
- Mothers were recontacted when children were 9-15 years old for the SNiP-I-Follow-up study (Dec 2016-Aug 2017).
- A questionnaire-based survey collected data on physical development, health, social behavior, and socio-economic factors.
Main Results:
- The SNiP-I-Follow-up study achieved a 29% participation rate (1665 mother-child dyads).
- Participants exhibited higher socio-economic status, particularly regarding maternal education, compared to non-responders.
Conclusions:
- The SNiP cohort serves as a valuable longitudinal birth cohort from rural Germany.
- It provides a crucial resource for addressing research needs and improving overall population health.
Background:
The health status of newborns is a major concern for parents and medical personnel. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence that factors from the foetal and perinatal periods of life influence health later in life. The "Follow-up of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania" (SNiP-I-Follow-up) is the first follow-up of the population-based birth cohort study, SNiP-I, established in north-east Germany.
Objectives:
The primary aim of SNiP-I-Follow-up study was the collection of longitudinal data on children and adolescents. The associations will be analysed between risk factors in pregnancy and the perinatal period and health status in infancy and later childhood.
Population:
The population-based cohort study SNiP-I was conducted in Pomerania in north-east Germany between February 2002 and November 2008. All mothers from the SNiP-I birth cohort were recontacted when their children were from 9 to 15 years of age.
Design:
The SNiP-I-Follow-up study was carried out between December 2016 and August 2017 and is a questionnaire-based survey.
Methods:
Physical development, health status, and social behaviour (school and leisure behaviour) of children were analysed using a questionnaire comprising medical, epidemiological, and socio-economic data, associated health care risk factors, and life circumstances of newborns, children, and their parents.
Preliminary Results:
Out of 5725 children invited to participate in the SNiP-I-Follow-up study between December 2016 and August 2017, 29% (n = 1665) children participated in the SNiP-I-Follow-up study, providing data on 1665 mothers-child dyads. Responders had higher socio-economic status, especially in relation to maternal education status.
Conclusion:
As a longitudinal birth cohort from rural Germany, the SNiP cohort will be a resource to address urgent research needs and contribute to overall population health.
