Cohort profile update: the Norwegian STORK Groruddalen (STORK G) pregnancy and birth cohort-the role of ethnicity and causal pathways for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues
Waage, Christin; Toftemo, Ingun; Brænd, Anja Maria; Sletner, Line; Sommer, Christine; Birkeland, Kåre Inge; Richardsen, Kåre Rønn; Shakeel, Nilam; Vøllestad, Nina Køpke; Jenum, Anne Karen
Peer reviewed, Journal article
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Date
2023Metadata
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Abstract
Purpose The STORK Groruddalen cohort was set up in
2008 to explore ethnic differences in: (1) maternal health,
primarily gestational diabetes (GDM) and related health
issues during pregnancy and post partum, and effects
of exposures on risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular
disease and other health issues, and (2) offspring’s growth
and body composition, overweight/obesity and effects of
early life exposures.
Participants 823 women (74% of invited) were followed
from gestational week (GW) 15. Data were collected
from 618 fathers. In total, 59% of women and 53% of
fathers had origin from non-Western countries. Maternal
mean age was 29.9 years (SD 4.9), and body mass
index (BMI) 25.3 kg/m 2 (4.9). Data were obtained from
772 women (94%) at GW 28, and 662 women (80%)
14 weeks post partum. Eleven years post partum,
385 women (53% of eligible/47% of original cohort)
attended, age was 42.0 years (4.8) and BMI 27.1 kg/m 2
(5.1). We have data for 783 children at birth, and for 586
at last time point, mean age 8.6 (0.5) years, weight 30.7
(6.8) kg and length 133.9 (6.3) cm.
Findings to date We collected questionnaire data from
parents, clinical measurements and blood samples from
mothers, and data on children’s growth (mid-pregnancy to
8 years). Our biobank includes maternal blood and urine
samples, biopsy material from placentas and umbilical
venous cord blood. We found several clinically important
differences in maternal health, with higher risk in ethnic
minority groups for GDM, insulin resistance, vitamin D
and iron deficiency, depressive symptoms and physical
inactivity. Contrasting patterns of fetal growth and risk
of overweight/thinness at preschool age were observed
across ethnic groups. Maternal GDM, obesity and high
gestational weight gain were associated with children’s
BMI trajectories.
Future plans We will examine the impact of maternal and
fetal health and development during pregnancy on long-
term outcomes for mothers and offspring.