Prospective Birth Cohort Studies and Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

2 Credits.

Introduces prospective birth cohort studies related to the developmental origins of health and disease. Provides overview of major US and international birth cohort studies. Compares advantages and disadvantages of their different study designs. Reviews specific considerations in conducting such studies, including field data and bio-sample collection and long-term follow-up. Explains importance of collecting sensitive and specific biomarkers. Emphasizes link between study design and interpretation of study data and thus to understanding the developmental origins of health and disease.