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[Preconception reproductive health and birth outcome cohort in Chongqing: the cohort profile]
1Institute of Toxicology，College of Military Preventive Medicine，Third Military Medical University/Army Medical University，Chongqing 400038，China.
Insights
The Preconception Reproductive Health and Birth Outcome Cohort (PREBIC) study investigates preconception exposures in both men and women. This large prospective cohort aims to understand their impact on reproductive health and birth outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
- Perinatal Research
Background:
- Limited large-scale cohorts exist for studying preconception exposure effects on reproductive and birth outcomes.
- Paternal preconception exposure is understudied in relation to offspring health.
- The Preconception Reproductive Health and Birth Outcome Cohort (PREBIC) addresses this gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a large prospective birth cohort focusing on preconception exposures in both sexes.
- To investigate the influence of environmental, psychological, and behavioral factors on reproductive health.
- To identify risks for adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study recruiting reproductive-age couples in Chongqing, China.
- Recruitment of 20,800 couples with child-bearing intentions.
- Two-year follow-up for conception, pregnancy monitoring (trimesters, postpartum), and offspring development up to age two.
- Collection of diverse biospecimens (semen, blood, urine, placenta, cord blood, oral swabs).
Main Results:
- By January 2022, 8,698 participants were recruited across Chongqing.
- The cohort includes both men and women, enabling comprehensive analysis of preconception exposures.
- Data collection covers a wide range of reproductive and developmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- PREBIC is establishing one of the largest prospective preconception cohorts globally.
- The study will provide novel insights into the full reproductive cycle's impact on health.
- Emphasis on preconception exposures offers a unique perspective on reproductive and birth outcomes.
Abstract:
Birth cohort is an important platform to study the effect of early-life exposure on health outcome, but large cohorts to investigate the effect of preconception exposure, especially paternal exposure, on reproductive health and birth outcome are limited. The Preconception Reproductive Health and Birth Outcome Cohort (PREBIC) is a prospective birth cohort study which pays equal attention to the contribution of environmental, psychological, behavioral as well as other factors to reproductive health and adverse birth outcomes in both men and women in Chongqing, China. PREBIC started in 2019 and plans to recruit 20 800 reproductive-age couples with child-bearing willingness. Followed up was conducted to understand the conception status of the women within two years. Women in pregnancy would be visited at first, second, third trimesters and after delivery. The offspring would be monitored until 2 years old to understand the incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, neurodevelopmental disorders and other outcomes. Related information and biospecimen collections (including semen, peripheral blood, urine, placenta, umbilical cord, cord blood and oral swab) were scheduled in each period. By January 2022, PREBIC had recruited 8 698 participants from all 38 districts in Chongqing. The goal of PREBIC is to establish one of the largest prospective preconception birth cohorts covering both men and women, which might provide a unique insight to understand the effects of the full reproductive cycle on reproductive health and adverse outcomes, with especial emphasis on preconception exposures.
