The methodology of the GUSTO cohort study: a novel approach in studying pediatric allergy

Abstract

Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) is Singapore's largest birth cohort study to date. The main aim of GUSTO is to evaluate the role of developmental factors in the early pathways to metabolic compromise. Detailed data is collected for a range of environmental exposures in the parents and offspring, and allergic disorders are among a number of outcomes assessed in infancy and childhood. Under the Allergy domain of GUSTO, this integrated study will describe the epidemiology of allergic manifestations and different phenotypes in the Asian context and help shed light on the association of metabolic disease to allergy. Epigenetic mechanisms and associations with other childhood disorders will also be explored. The aim of this report is to focus on methodology of GUSTO, and to suggest similar approaches (i.e., integrated cohort studies on pediatric allergy) worldwide. Recruitment commenced in 2009 with a cohort of 1,163 pregnant mothers in their first trimester. The mothers and children were followed throughout pregnancy and follow-up will continue until the child reaches 3 years of age. Preliminary results showed that 39.8% of the mothers had a personal history of having at least one allergic disease, which included asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis. Further data collection and analyses are still ongoing. Allergy is a complex spectrum of disorders with numerous poorly-understood aspects. The ongoing GUSTO cohort study, with its longitudinal design and multi-disciplinary nature, may provide new insights into developmental influences on allergy. As a Singapore-based study, it will be the first integrated allergy cohort in Southeast Asia, of which recruitment started during pregnancy.

Influences of prenatal and postnatal maternal depression on amygdala volume and microstructure in young children

“…The GUSTO cohort recruited pregnant Singapore citizens, or permanent residents of Chinese, Malay or Indian ethnic backgrounds from two major birthing hospitals in Singapore at the first antenatal visit (see Soh et al 48 for further details). The GUSTO study was approved by the National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board and the Sing Health Centralized Institutional Review Board.…”

Predictors of allergen sensitization in Singapore children from birth to 3 years

“…The methodology of the GUSTO growth cohort study has been previously described [8, 9]. Briefly, we recruited healthy pregnant mothers who agreed to the follow-up of their offspring.…”

Associations between maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and allergic outcomes in the offspring in the first 5 years of life

“…The methodology of the GUSTO study has been described previously . Briefly, we recruited healthy pregnant mothers who agreed to enroll their offspring for future follow‐up.…”