Methodological aspects of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study

Authors

  • Cesar Gomes Victora Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Ana Maria Batista Menezes Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Pedro Curi Hallal Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Maria de Fátima Vieira Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Marilda Borges Neutzling Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Helen Gonçalves Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Neiva Cristina Valle Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Rosangela Costa Lima Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Luciana Anselmi University of London; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Dominique Behague University of London; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Denise Petrucci Gigante Federal University of Pelotas image/svg+xml
  • Fernando Celso Barros Centro Latinoamericano de Perinatologia y Desarrollo Humano

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102006000100008

Keywords:

Longitudinal studies, Cohort studies, Prospective studies, Child development, Follow-up studies, Epidemiologic methods

Abstract

This paper describes the main methodological aspects of a cohort study, with emphasis on its recent phases, which may be relevant to investigators planning to carry out similar studies. In 1993, a population based study was launched in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. All 5,249 newborns delivered in the city's hospitals were enrolled, and sub-samples were visited at the ages of one, three and six months and of one and four years. In 2004-5 it was possible to trace 87.5% of the cohort at the age of 10-12 years. Sub-studies are addressing issues related to oral health, psychological development and mental health, body composition, and ethnography. Birth cohort studies are essential for investigating the early determinants of adult disease and nutritional status, yet few such studies are available from low and middle-income countries where these determinants may differ from those documented in more developed settings.

References

Downloads

Published

2006-02-01

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 1 (2006)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Victora, C. G., Araújo, C. L. P., Menezes, A. M. B., Hallal, P. C., Vieira, M. de F., Neutzling, M. B., Gonçalves, H., Valle, N. C., Lima, R. C., Anselmi, L., Behague, D., Gigante, D. P., & Barros, F. C. (2006). Methodological aspects of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study . Revista De Saúde Pública, 40(1), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102006000100008