Extension of the environmental visit at 18 months

Last week we shared with you in the weekly publication the details of the neurodevelopmental tests that are carried out in the follow-up of the BiSC children, including the visit with the neuropsychologist at 18 months. Today we want to share a small modification that we have incorporated in the collection of samples.

Many of you have already performed the sample collection for the 18-month visit. During the follow-up visit, Muriel, the psychologist, has offered you a kit with which you have taken a urine sample and two stool samples from your sons and daughters. A few days later, the field technician contacted you to install a tube that measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for a week, a tube that has accompanied your children in the various spaces where they spend their daily routines: daycare, home, strolling…

Starting in December, however, we will incorporate the collection of new samples and new procedures for those families that have not yet made the 18-month visit. In this visit, in addition to the samples already mentioned, will be added:

  1. Two urine samples from the mother (one first thing in the morning and one before going to sleep).
  2. Samples of the mother’s fingernails.
  3. Sample of all the fingernails and toenails of your child.

Thanks to the samples that you have provided us in this last environmental phase, we will be able to analyze the microbiota and nanoplastics present in the feces of children, and the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the air they breathe during a typical week. When the financing allows us, we will analyze:

  • With nail samples: cortisol levels and other stress-related hormones and circadian rhythm.
  • With urine samples: steroid hormones, plus other exposures as we are already doing with samples collected during pregnancy.

We will keep in touch with you for this next phase and those that follow it. Once again, we thank you very much for your collaboration and trust in the project. Without your willingness and effort it would not be possible!

This post has been written by Raquel Barneda, fieldworker of the BiSC Project.