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Turku mother/child cohort |
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DEER |
Developmental Effects of Environment on Reproduction |
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More than 2000 pregnant women from the Turku area were included in this study in 1996-1999. Their sons born in 1997-1999 were examined at birth, at the age of 3 months and special cases and controls also at the age of 18 months. The study was continued as a case-control-study on cryptorchidism and hypospadias in 2000-2002. Currently one hundred boys are participating in a pubertal follow-up study. For details on the clinical examinations and sample collection, please see column on the left.
Inclusion criteria Cryptorchid cases and special controls were invited to participate in the pubertal follow-up study.
Ethical aspects The study has been approved by the ethics committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland and it has been conducted according to the Helsinki II declaration. All families gave their informed consent to participate in the study.
Sponsors and collaborators Turku University Hospital Academy of Finland Sigrid Jusélius Foundation European Commission Pediatric Research Foundation University of Copenhagen University of Cambridge
Principal investigator Professor Jorma Toppari MD, PhD
Investigators Kaleva M MD, PhD Perheentupa A MD, PhD Rönkä R MD, PhD Sadov S MD Suomi A-M MD, PhD Virtanen H E MD, PhD Koskenniemi J J BMed
Technicians Järvi J special lab. technician |
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The study gathers the following information:
Physical examination at pubertal follow-up Height sitting height weight waist and hip circumference pubertal staging pitch of voice testicular size testicular scan with ultrasound pubertal signs
Physical examination in early infancy weight height/length testicular position testicular scan with ultrasound location of the urethral meatus
Blood samples reproductive hormone levels DNA isolation (subcohort)
Urine sample chemical levels
Milk samples Persistent chemicals (subcohort)
Placenta Persistent chemicals (subcohort)
Questionnaire Maternal and pubertal questionnaires on health, life-style, and diet
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