The importance of biological samples in longitudinal birth cohort studies

Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2009 Jul:23 Suppl 1:93-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2008.00999.x.

Abstract

Here we describe how measurements in biological samples can be used to provide direct measures of exposures to environmental pollutants, nutrients, infectious organisms and drugs of abuse, and to validate other less direct measures of exposure such as questionnaire responses. They can also be used as measures of outcome traits or intermediate phenotypes which may lie on the pathways to disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Child Development
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hazardous Substances / analysis
  • Hazardous Substances / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Maternal Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances