Investigating the early-life determinants of illness in Africa: the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Issue 6 (16th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zar, H J; Barnett, W; Myer, L; Stein, D J; Nicol, M P
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 70:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 592
• Page End: 594
• Publication Date: 2014-09-16
• Subjects: Pneumonia; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : Respiratory disease is the predominant cause of illness in children globally. We describe a unique multidisciplinary South African birth cohort, the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), to investigate the incidence, risk factors, aetiology and long-term impact of early lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) on child health. Pregnant women from a poor, peri-urban community with high exposure to infectious diseases and environmental risk factors are enrolled with 1000 mother–child pairs followed for at least 5 years. Biomedical, environmental, psychosocial and demographic risk factors are longitudinally measured. Environmental exposures are measured using monitors placed at home visits. Lung function is measured in children at 6 weeks, annually and during LRTI episodes. Microbiological investigations including microbiome and multiplex PCR measures are done longitudinally and at LRTI episodes. The DCHS is a unique African birth cohort study that uses sophisticated measures to comprehensively investigate the early-life determinants of child health in an impoverished area of the world.