LifeLines NEXT: Unique, large-scale study on the health of pregnant women and their babies

On 1 October, the UMCG and LifeLines launched LifeLines NEXT, a unique, large-scale study among 1500 pregnant women and their children, during and after pregnancy. The study aims to understand why some people develop chronic illnesses during the course of their lives, while others don’t. In the LifeLines project, researchers at the UMCG are looking for causes in the early stages of life.

Earlier studies show that the foundations for a child’s health are laid during pregnancy and during the first years of life, but how this works is poorly understood. What is passed on to you from your parents? And what are the effects of lifestyle and environment? One of the most important issues addressed in this study is the development of a baby’s immune system.

LifeLines NEXT, a study carried out by the departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics, and Genetics in collaboration with LifeLines, will follow 1500 pregnant LifeLines participants and their babies from the third month of pregnancy up to one year after birth. Bio-material will be collected from mother and child (blood, faeces and breastmilk), and surveys will be conducted regarding living conditions, health, lifestyle, nutrition and the mother-child relationship. In addition, LifeLines has already collected a great deal of data on the mother and the rest of the family.

The project has already started in the province of Groningen. On 1 November the province of Friesland will follow, and on 1 December Drenthe will join in. You can register to participate in the study up to the 12^th week of pregnancy. Pregnant LifeLines participants can register using the LifeLines service desk, or through their midwife, gynaecologist or GP.

The UMCG is working to help build the future of health. Healthy Ageing is a focal point in that mission, with the LifeLines NEXT project set to become an important study on pregnancy.

Source: news release UMCG