Wellcome Open Research (Dec 2019)

The second generation of The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC-G2): a cohort profile [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

  • Deborah A. Lawlor,
  • Melanie Lewcock,
  • Louise Rena-Jones,
  • Claire Rollings,
  • Vikki Yip,
  • Daniel Smith,
  • Rebecca M. Pearson,
  • Laura Johnson,
  • Louise A. C. Millard,
  • Nashita Patel,
  • Andy Skinner,
  • Kate Tilling,
  • ALSPAC Executive

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15087.2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4

Abstract

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Background: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children-Generation 2 (ALSPAC-G2) was set up to provide a unique multi-generational cohort. It builds on the existing ALSPAC resource, which recruited 14,541 pregnancies to women resident in the South West of England who were expected to deliver between 01/04/1991 and 31/12/1992. Those women and their partners (Generation 0; ALSPAC-G0) and their offspring (ALSPAC-G1) have been followed for the last 27 years. This profile describes recruitment and data collection on the next generation (ALSPAC-G2)—the grandchildren of ALSPAC-G0 and children of ALSPAC-G1. Recruitment: Recruitment began on the 6 th of June 2012 and we present details of recruitment and participants up to 30 th June 2018 (~6 years). We knew at the start of recruitment that some ALSPAC-G1 participants had already become parents and ALSPAC-G2 is an open cohort; we recruit at any age. We hope to continue recruiting until all ALSPAC-G1 participants have completed their families. Up to 30 th June 2018 we recruited 810 ALSPAC-G2 participants from 548 families. Of these 810, 389 (48%) were recruited during their mother’s pregnancy, 287 (35%) before age 3 years, 104 (13%) between 3-6 years and 30 (4%) after 6 years. Over 70% of those invited to early pregnancy, late pregnancy, second week of life, 6-, 12- and 24-month assessments (whether for their recruitment, or a follow-up, visit) have attended, with attendance being over 60% for subsequent visits up to 7 years (too few are eligible for the 9- and 11-year assessments to analyse). Data collection: We collect a wide-range of socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical, anthropometric and biological data on all family members repeatedly. Biological samples include blood (including cord-blood), urine, meconium and faeces, and placental tissue. In subgroups detailed data collection, such as continuous glucose monitoring and videos of parent-child interactions, are being collected.