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Based at the University of Bristol, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as Children of the 90s, is a world-leading birth cohort study. Between April 1991 and December 1992 more than 14,000 pregnant women were recruited into the study and these women (some of whom had two pregnancies or multiple births during the recruitment period), the children arising from the pregnancy, and their partners have been followed up over two decades.
The cohort has been followed intensively with annual questionnaires for the mothers, fathers and the children from age 5. A 10% sample of children were seen 10 times between 4 and 61 months for clinic assessment. Annual clinic assessment of the whole cohort was conducted from the age of 7 to 13 and 15 to 17. Assessment at age 24/25 is currently planned.
Record linkage has been completed for Education, Hospital Episode Statistics, Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Death notification and cancer cases.
1 million biological samples are held including maternal blood and urine, umbilical cord blood, placentas, paternal blood and saliva and childrens blood, saliva and urine.
The study has been extended to include grandparents, siblings, and children of the children and recruitment is underway.
ALSPAC is part of CLOSER (Cohort & Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources) which aims to maximise the use, value and impact of the UK’s longitudinal studies.
Last update: 12/01/2017
Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries United Kingdom
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 20,000 to 49,999
Ages 0 to 9|10 to 19|20 to 39|40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures Cognitive function|Mental health
Funtional rating Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Other|Saliva|Urine
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names University of Bristol
Current Sample Sizes 20,000 to 49,999
age at recruitment Children 0 and Mothers 16-45
last updated
recruitment period 1991-1992
estimated current sample size number value 22528
cohort acronym ALSPAC
start date 1991-1992
pi Professor George Davey-Smith and Professor Paul Burton
website http://www.bris.ac.uk/alspac/
contact details Children of the 90s
Oakfield House
Oakfield Grove
Bristol
BS8 2BN
abstract ALSPAC is a birth cohort study aiming to chart the health of 14,500 families in Bristol to improve the health of future generations. Pregnant women aged 16 – 45 were recruited between April 1991 and December 1992.
funders Medical Research Council
Wellcome Trust
contact email Data enquiries (including access): [email protected], Media enquiries: [email protected], Lab enquiries: [email protected], Research-related enquiries: [email protected]
contact phone number
estimated current sample size 20,000 to 49,999
sample sizes 28603