Maternal and child health is of great concern globally. Early life phase of a fetus and infant is a critical period for the development of health and disease in the whole life. Exposure of negative environmental, nutritional and lifestyle factors in pregnant women during this period can have adverse effects on fetal and infant. In addition, for mothers, complications during pregnancy could also have a negative effect on long-term health of mothers, such as diabetes, hypertension. Thus, the Peking University Birth Cohort in Weifang is primarily aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of pre-pregnant and prenatal exposure on maternal and child health. Data are collected regarding environmental, nutritional and lifestyle exposures as well as short-term and long-term health outcomes of mothers, husbands and their children from birth to before 18 years old. Biological samples including peripheral blood, urine, placenta, umbilical cord, cord blood, and faeces samples are also collected.
