NorthPop: a prospective population-based birth cohort study

NorthPop is a research infrastructure at Region Västerbotten and Umeå University. It consists of a database and biobank containing extensive population-based, longitudinal data. These are collected from 30 000 individuals, which include 10 000 children and also their parents, who are 32 years of age on average at time of delivery. Region Västerbotten and Umeå University have a successful tradition of research based on databases and biobanks, but previously they were almost entirely focused on middle-aged and older individuals, or specific diseases. There is a great need for of a population-based infrastructure with a biobank for children and young adults, as the majority of our lifestyle-related diseases and behaviors are established early in life. Children and young adults account for 50% (130 000 individuals) of the population in Västerbotten. NorthPop therefore perfectly complements the Västerbotten Health Surveys (VHU), which cover the ages of 40 years and older, enabling completely new multi-generational research projects. Data collection consists of: 1. Questionnaires: During pregnancy, three questionnaires are answered by the each parent. A series of questionnaires are then sent out when the child is 4 months, 9 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years and 7 years old. 2. Samples: Biological samples are collected from the women during pregnancy, in gestational weeks 14-24, around gestational week 28, and 1 month postpartum. The children are sampled at birth, 48 hours postpartum, at 1, 9, 18 months as well as 3 and 7 years of age. Meconium, feces, oral swabs and breast milk are sampled either by the parents at home or at the hospital. - Urine: A 10 mL urine sample is collected from the mothers at the routine ultrasound examination, in gestational weeks 14-24. - Blood: Venous blood samples from the women at gestational week 28, at birth from the umbilical cord and from the children at 18 months and 7 years of age. - Meconium. Oral swabs: Parents collect oral swabs from the children at 48 hours postpartum, 1, 9, 18 months and at 3 and 7 years of age. - Feces: The parents collect fecal samples at home, at 1, 9, 18 months and at 3 and 7 years of age. - Breast milk: When the infant is 1 month old, breast milk is sampled at home at the first feeding in the morning. 3. Additional Measurements Actigraphy (Physical activity, light exposure, and sleep patterns) in a sub-cohort at 3 and 7 years of age. At age 7: Blood pressure, pulse, skin prick test, hand grip strength, height, weight, working memory. 4. Additional registers: Child health care records Dental records Maternity care center records School health care records The Longitudinal Integrated Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies (LISA) The National Patient Register The National Prescribed Drug Register The Swedish Child Health Services registry (BHVQ) The Swedish Geographical Database The Swedish Neonatal Quality Register (SNQ) The Swedish Pregnancy Register The Swedish Quality Register for Caries and Periodontitis (SKaPa) The Swedish School Health Care Quality Register (EMQ) The Total Population Register