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The MothersBabies Study, an Australian Prospective Cohort Study Analyzing the Microbiome in the Preconception and Perinatal Period to Determine Risk of Adverse Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Child-Related Health Outcomes: Study Protocol

Author

Listed:
  • Naomi Strout

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Lana Pasic

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Chloe Hicks

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Xin-Yi Chua

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Niki Tashvighi

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Phoebe Butler

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Zhixin Liu

    (UNSW Stats Central, Biological Sciences South Building (E26), Level 2 Kensington, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
    Healthdirect Australia, Level 4, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Fatima El-Assaad

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Elaine Holmes

    (The Australian National Phenome Centre, Harry Perkins Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia)

  • Daniella Susic

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
    Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
    Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Katherine Samaras

    (Complex Diseases Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
    Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
    St Vincent’s Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Maria E. Craig

    (Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Gregory K. Davis

    (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
    Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Amanda Henry

    (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
    Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • William L. Ledger

    (Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Emad M. El-Omar

    (UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

Abstract

The microbiome has emerged as a key determinant of human health and reproduction, with recent evidence suggesting a dysbiotic microbiome is implicated in adverse perinatal health outcomes. The existing research has been limited by the sample collection and timing, cohort design, sample design, and lack of data on the preconception microbiome. This prospective, longitudinal cohort study will recruit 2000 Australian women, in order to fully explore the role of the microbiome in the development of adverse perinatal outcomes. Participants are enrolled for a maximum of 7 years, from 1 year preconception, through to 5 years postpartum. Assessment occurs every three months until pregnancy occurs, then during Trimester 1 (5 + 0–12 + 6 weeks gestation), Trimester 2 (20 + 0–24 + 6 weeks gestation), Trimester 3 (32 + 0–36 + 6 weeks gestation), and postpartum at 1 week, 2 months, 6 months, and then annually from 1 to 5 years. At each assessment, maternal participants self-collect oral, skin, vaginal, urine, and stool samples. Oral, skin, urine, and stool samples will be collected from children. Blood samples will be obtained from maternal participants who can access a study collection center. The measurements taken will include anthropometric, blood pressure, heart rate, and serum hormonal and metabolic parameters. Validated self-report questionnaires will be administered to assess diet, physical activity, mental health, and child developmental milestones. Medications, medical, surgical, obstetric history, the impact of COVID-19, living environments, and pregnancy and child health outcomes will be recorded. Multiomic bioinformatic and statistical analyses will assess the association between participants who developed high-risk and low-risk pregnancies, adverse postnatal conditions, and/or childhood disease, and their microbiome for the different sample types.

Suggested Citation

  • Naomi Strout & Lana Pasic & Chloe Hicks & Xin-Yi Chua & Niki Tashvighi & Phoebe Butler & Zhixin Liu & Fatima El-Assaad & Elaine Holmes & Daniella Susic & Katherine Samaras & Maria E. Craig & Gregory K, 2023. "The MothersBabies Study, an Australian Prospective Cohort Study Analyzing the Microbiome in the Preconception and Perinatal Period to Determine Risk of Adverse Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Child-Related," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-13, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6736-:d:1236509
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