The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN) Birth Cohort protocol: rationale, design and methodology

Background: Birth cohorts are essential for developing evidence-based policies and advancing knowledge on different aspects of the concept developmental origins health diseases (DOHaD). The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN) is a multicentre cohort Iran. It one pioneers DOHaD research Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. This profile provides brief overview this birth cohort, focusing objectives design study. main objective to evaluate associations socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle, diet, environmental exposures epigenetic factors with outcomes of: pregnancy; mother child mental physical well-being; neurodevelopment; establishment chronic disease risk factors. Methods: enrolment PERSIAN Cohort participants currently ongoing five Iranian cities (Isfahan, Yazd, Semnan, Sari Rafsanjan). We plan recruit 15,000 mother–offspring pairs, follow them at least ten years. Data collection consists three consecutive phases: (1) periconception until birth; (2) infancy (0–2 years); (3) childhood (3–11 years). collecting data both ‘determinants health’ ‘health outcomes’. In addition questionnaires examination, various biological samples, including blood, urine, hair, nail, cord blood breastmilk being collected. Growth neurodevelopment children will be monitored. Appropriate analysis schemes employed assess role early life that would facilitate international comparisons.