Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals
- The primary objectives of the MIREC Study are:
- to determine whether current non-occupational exposure to heavy metals, such as lead (as measured in maternal and infant biospecimens), is related to elevated maternal blood pressure or fetal growth restriction and
- to obtain national-level contemporary biomarkers of in utero and lactational exposure to priority environmental chemicals (e.g. heavy metals, phthalates, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A [BPA]).
- Start Year
- 2008
Visit MIREC
| Investigators | Contacts |
|---|---|
|
|
Design
- Study design
- Cohort
- Follow Up
-
Participants were followed-up at each trimester of pregnancy, at delivery and at post-delivery time points (day 1-2, 2-10 weeks, 6 months, 15 months, 3 years, and 5 years post-partum).
- Supplementary Information
Marker Paper
Arbuckle Tye E., Fraser William D., Fisher Mandy et al. Cohort profile: the maternal-infant research on environmental chemicals research platform. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2013 Jul;27(4):415-2
PUBMED 23772943
Recruitment
- Recruitment Target
-
- Families
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 5,590
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 3,942
- Supplementary Information
-
Mothers: 1983 participants
Fathers: 1648 participants
Children: 1959 participants
Final sample includes 1983 mothers who completed visit 1 (including 48 multiple pregnancies),1959 livebirths (including 98 babies from the 48 mothers), and 340 fathers.
Access
Availability of data and biosamples
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | |
| Other |
Availability of access information
On the study website : http://www.mirec-canada.ca
By contacting the study representative
Sector of research
| Possible Access to Data | Possible Access to Biosamples | |
|---|---|---|
| Investigators from the public sector | ||
| Investigators from the private sector | ||
| Investigators from not-for-profit organization |
Transfer
| Possible Access to Data | Possible Access to Biosamples | |
|---|---|---|
| Can leave the study facility | ||
| Can leave the country |
The restriction is on individual-level data / biological samples can leave the country (choice of laboratory must be justified
Cost
| Possible Access to Data | Variable Cost |
| Possible Access to Biosamples | Variable Cost |
Cost estimate is provided after review of the preliminary application
Cost reduction for co-analyses
| Possible Access to Data | |
| Possible Access to Biosamples |
Cost is established based on multiple factors, on a case-by-case
Supplementary Information
Timeline
Populations
This population is composed of women aged 18 years and older and whom are less than 14 weeks pregnant, who were attending prenatal clinics.
Selection Criteria
- Sex
-
Women
- Minimum age
-
18
- Pregnant Women
-
- First trimester
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- Canada
- Territory
-
Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
- Ethnic Origin
-
- Health Status
-
- Participants were excluded if they:
- had known fetal abnormalities (e.g. hydatidiform mole), or known fetal chromosomal or major malformations in the current pregnancy; and
- had a history of medical complications, including the following: renal disease with altered renal function; epilepsy; any collagen disease, such as lupus erythematosus and scleroderma; active and chronic liver disease (hepatitis); heart disease; serious pulmonary disease; cancer; haematological disorder (patient with anaemia or thombophilias will be included); threatened spontaneous abortion (women with previous bleeding in the first trimester were included if the site documented a viable fetus at the time of recruitment); and illicit drug use.
- Participants were excluded if they:
- Other Criteria
- Participants had to have the ability to consent and to communicate in English or French, be willing to provide a sample of cord blood and be planning on delivering at a local hospital.
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Clinic patients
- Supplementary Information
-
Participants were recruited from the general population who were attending prenatal clinics (ultrasound, midwife and/or doctor's clinics) during the first trimester of pregnancy (6 to 14 weeks). Recruitment took place from 2008 to 2011.
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 1,983
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 1,983
- Supplementary Information about selection criteria
-
Prenatal visit 1: 1983 participants
Prenatal visit 2: 1831 participants
Prenatal visit 3: 1733 participants
Delivery : 1727 participants
Postpartum visit 1 and 2 : 1385
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
MIREC - Mothers - Prenatal Visit 1
|
Questionnaires were administered by trained research staff to collect demographic, life style (e.g. smoking and alcohol), medical history, use of natural health products and medications, and ... |
2008-02 | 2011-03 |
| 1 |
MIREC - Mothers - Prenatal Visit 2
|
A questionnaires was administered by trained research staff to collect use of medications data. A validated food frequency questionnaire was administered. Blood pressure, weight and a ... |
2008-05 | 2011-06 |
| 2 |
MIREC - Mothers - Prenatal Visit 3
|
Questionnaires were administered by trained research staff to collect demographic, life style (e.g. smoking and alcohol), use of medications, and potential sources of exposure data. ... |
2008-07 | 2011-09 |
| 3 |
MIREC - Mothers - Delivery
|
Urine and blood samples were collected. Under a separate consent form, additional biospecimens were collected to be stored in the MIREC Data and Biological Specimens Bank (MIREC Biobank). |
2008-09 | 2011-10 |
| 4 |
MIREC - Mothers - Postpartum Visit 1
|
Medical chart review information was extracted. |
2008-09 | 2011-10 |
| 5 |
MIREC - Mothers - Postpartum Visit 2
|
Questionnaires were administered by trained research staff at participant's home to collect home environment, use of natural health products, mother diet and baby's diet, sunlight exposure, ... |
2008-10 | 2012-04 |
| 7 |
MIREC - Mothers - MIREC-ID 6 months
|
Questionnaires were administered by trained research staff to collect demographic, lifestyle (e.g. postnatal smoking and alcohol, breastfeeding), life events, potential sources of exposure ... |
2010-08 | 2012-05 |
| 8 |
MIREC - Mothers - MIREC-CD3
|
Through a questionnaire, information was collected about the relationship with their baby, how they felt, the relationship with partner, and adult life. |
2012-08 | 2014-03 |
| 9 |
MIREC - Mothers - MIREC-CD Plus
|
Through a questionnaire, information was collected about the relationship with their baby, occupation, household, level of stress and well-being, the relationship with partner, and life ... |
2013-03 | 2015-03 |
| 10 |
MIREC - Mothers - MIREC-ENDO
|
Through a questionnaire, information is collected about her health, her pubertal history, smoking habits, demographic status, family structure, level of stress and well-being. ... |
2018-01 |
The population is composed of the MIREC mothers’ newborn children (live births).
Selection Criteria
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- Canada
- Territory
-
Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
- Ethnic Origin
-
- Health Status
-
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Other specific population : Children of the MIREC Study mothers
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 1,959
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
- 1,959
- Supplementary Information about selection criteria
-
MIREC-Birth: 1959 participants
MIREC-ID 6months: 525 participants
MIREC-CD3: 370 participants
MIREC-CD Plus Biomonitoring: 803 participants
MIREC-CD Plus Neurodevelopment: 610 participants
Data Collection Events
| # | Name | Description | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
MIREC - Children - Birth
|
Cord blood and meconium samples were collected |
2008-09 | 2011-10 |
| 1 |
MIREC - Children - MIREC-ID Birth
|
Sexual development was assessed through a genital clinical exam, pigmentation of the areolar and scrotum skin tests. Weight, length, head and right arm circumferences, back and arm ... |
2010-01 | 2011-12 |
| 2 |
MIREC - Children - MIREC-ID 6 months
|
An interview with the mother collected information about child’s use of vitamins and medications, sleep behavior, general development, health and hospitalization, child care, as well as ... |
2010-08 | 2012-05 |
| 3 |
MIREC - Children - MIREC-CD3
|
At age 3, child neurobehaviour; particularly language and behavior (BRIEF-P) were assessed. |
2012-08 | 2014-03 |
| 4 |
MIREC - Children - MIREC-CD Plus Biomonitoring
|
Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist-hip and head circumference, back skin fold, right arm skin fold, and digit length were taken. Blood and urine samples were ... |
2013-03 | 2015-03 |
| 5 |
MIREC – Children - MIREC-CD Plus Neurodevelopment
|
A series of questions on the development of the child, including behaviour and language, communications and language skills are collected in the mother's self-administered questionnaire. The ... |
2013-04 | 2015-03 |
| 6 |
MIREC – Children - MIREC-ENDO
|
A series of questions on the development of the child, including behaviour, communications and language skills are collected in the mother's questionnaires. Questions on the child's health, ... |
2018-01 |
The population is composed of the MIREC children’ fathers.
Selection Criteria
- Sex
-
Men
- Newborns
- Twins
- Countries
-
- Canada
- Territory
-
Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
- Ethnic Origin
-
- Health Status
-
Recruitment
- Sources of recruitment
-
- Specific population
- Specific Population
-
- Other specific population : Fathers of the MIREC Study children
Number of Participants
- Number of Participants
- 1,648
- Number of Participants with Biological Samples
Data Collection Event
Questionnaires were administered by trained research staff to collect demographic data.
- Start Date
-
2010-01
- End Date
-
2011-12
- Data sources
-
- Questionnaires
Classifications
- Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
- Lifestyle and behaviours
- Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
- Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
- Diseases
- Symptoms and signs
- Medication and supplements
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Health and community care services utilization
- Death
- Physical measures and assessments
- Laboratory measures
- Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
- Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
- Preschool, school and work life
- Social environment and relationships
- Physical environment
- Administrative information
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Nutrition
- Breastfeeding
- Physical activity
- Sleep
- Sexual behaviours and orientation
- Technological devices
- Misbehaviour and criminality
- Other and unspecified lifestyle information
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Lifestyle and behaviours
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Diseases
Symptoms and signs
Medication and supplements
Non-pharmacological interventions
Health and community care services utilization
Death
Physical measures and assessments
Laboratory measures
Physical environment
Administrative information
Nutrition