Current Findings in a Birth Cohort Study with Omics Analysis: Chiba Study of Mother and Child Health (C-MACH)

Abstract

Recent epidemiological studies have shown that environmental factors like maternal nutrition, smoking habits, and economic stability during the period from pregnancy to early childhood might affect the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. This concept is referred to as "developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)." Exposure to chemicals is also an important risk factor for fetal development. Moreover, there is some concern that certain chemicals can affect human reproduction and development because of their endocrine-disrupting properties, especially during fetal period. The Chiba Study of Mother and Children's Health (C-MACH) is a birth cohort study that has been conducted since 2014. The study is focused on the health effects of environmental factors (including chemicals) on fetuses and includes omics analysis to identify potential biomarkers and clarify these mechanisms. In this article, we introduce the current findings of C-MACH, which aims to develop advanced preventive medical and strategic interventions during the fetal period that will help to lower the risk of chronic disease.