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Methodology for Establishing a Population‐Based Birth Cohort Focusing on Couple Fertility and Children's Development, the U pstate KIDS Study
Author(s) -
Buck Louis Germaine M.,
Hediger Mary L.,
Bell Erin M.,
Kus Christopher A.,
Sundaram Rajeshwari,
McLain Alexander C.,
Yeung Edwina,
Hills Elaine A.,
Thoma Marie E.,
Druschel Charlotte M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
paediatric and perinatal epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3016
pISSN - 0269-5022
DOI - 10.1111/ppe.12121
Subject(s) - birth certificate , medicine , infertility , obstetrics , population , fertility , live birth , cohort , pregnancy , cohort study , gynecology , demography , pediatrics , environmental health , sociology , biology , genetics
Abstract Background Critical data gaps remain regarding infertility treatment and child development. We assessed the utility of a birth certificate registry for developing a population cohort aimed at answering such questions. Methods We utilised the U pstate N ew Y ork livebirth registry ( n = 201 063) to select births conceived with ( n = 4024) infertility treatment or exposed infants, who were then frequency‐matched by residence to a random sample of infants conceived without ( n = 14 455) treatment or unexposed infants, 2008–10. Mothers were recruited at 2–4 months postpartum and queried about their reproductive histories, including infertility treatment for comparison with birth certificate data. Overall, 1297 (32%) mothers of exposed and 3692 of unexposed (26%) infants enrolled. Results Twins represented 22% of each infant group. The percentage of infants conceived with/without infertility treatment was similar whether derived from the birth registry or maternal report: 71% none, 16% drugs or intrauterine insemination, and 14% assisted reproductive technologies ( ART ). Concordant reporting between the two data sources was 93% for no treatment, 88% for ART , and 83% for fertility drugs, but differed by plurality. Exposed infants had slightly ( P < 0.01) earlier gestations than unexposed infants (38.3 ± 2.8 and 38.7 ± 2.7 weeks, respectively) based upon birth certificates but not maternal report (38.7 ± 2.7 and 38.7 ± 2.9, respectively). Conversely, mean birthweight was comparable using birth certificates (3157 ± 704 and 3194 ± 679 g, respectively), but differed using maternal report (3167 ± 692 and 3224 ± 661, respectively P < 0.05). Conclusions The birth certificate registry is a suitable sampling framework as measured by concordance with maternally reported infertility treatment. Future efforts should address the impact of factors associated with discordant reporting on research findings.