Northern Finland Birth Cohort Studies

The Northern Finland Birth Cohort Studies is an epidemiological and longitudinal research program which aims to promote health and well-being of the population. The prospective data collected from the Northern Finland forms a unique resource, allowing to study the emergence of diseases which can be based on genetic, biological, social or behavioural risk factors.

NFBC includes two longitudinal and prospective birth cohorts of women and offspring collected at 20-year intervals from the same provinces of Oulu and Lapland: The NFBC1966 was set with an expected date of birth in 1966, comprising of 12,068 mothers and 12,231 children (prospective data collection from maternity cards since 16th gestational week on average), and the NFBC1986 with an expected date of birth between July, 1st 1985 and June, 30th 1986, comprising 9,362 mothers and 9,479 children (prospective data collection from 10th gestational week).

Last update – 02/05/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Finland
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 20,000 to 49,999
Ages 0 to 9|10 to 19|20 to 39|40 to 59
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Caregiver
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)>CSF biomarker data available|Microbiome|Other|Saliva|Urine
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Marital status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Northern Finland Birth Cohorts Project Center at the Medical Faculty, University of Oulu
Current Sample Sizes 20,000 to 49,999

age at recruitment >0
last updated
recruitment period NFBC1966: 1965-66NFBC1987: 1985-86
estimated current sample size number value NFBC1966: 11,993 mothers/11,907 childrenNFBC1986: 9,098 mothers/9,421 children
cohort acronym NFBC1966 and NFBC1987
start date NFBC1966: 1965-66|NFBC1987: 1985-86
pi Minna Mannikko and Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
website http://www.oulu.fi/nfbc/
contact details
abstract  NFBC 1966 and NFBC 1986 are longitudinal cohort that aim to promote the wellbeing and health of the population. Epidemiological data for over 20,000 mother and over 20,000 children was collected.
funders  University of Oulu
contact email PI Email: [email protected] PI Email: [email protected] Contact Email: [email protected]
contact phone number Minna Mannikko, NFBC Research DirectorPhone number: +358 (0) 294485751 Int. 485751Email: [email protected] secretary: Tuula YlitaloPhone number: +358 (0) 294 485659 Int. 485659
estimated current sample size 10,000 to 19,999|20,000 to 49,999
sample sizes NFBC1966: 12,068 mothers/12,231 childrenNFBC1986: 9,362 mothers/9,479 children