Geração XXI

Geração XXI is the first Portuguese birth cohort and intends to characterize prenatal and postnatal development, identifying its determinants in order to understand the state of health in childhood and later in adolescence and adult age.

The recruitment of near 8500 newborns occurred between April 2005 and August 2006 at the five public maternity units in metropolitan area of Porto. An interviewer collected data on socio-demographics, clinical and reproductive history, prenatal care and about lifestyle and behaviours before and during pregnancy. It was measured parents’ weight and height and detailed anthropometrics were performed on newborns. The medical registries were assessed and for a subgroup it was collected a blood sample from the mother, father and cord blood. This project aims to evaluate the 8500 children up to adulthood.

At 6, 15 and 24 months some babies were examined and at 4 years old the whole cohort was invited to participate. This evaluation occurred between April 2009 and August 2011. During this period 7300 children were evaluated.

At this moment is ongoing the evaluation of the seven years, since April 2012.