European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) : report on a meeting of principal investigators, Bristol, United Kingdom, 23-27 September 1996

Abstract

The WHO Regional Office for Europe started the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (‎ELSPAC)‎ in 1985 to improve epidemiological knowledge of factors influencing children's health in European countries. it is designed to cover various aspects of the life and environment of pregnant women and their children. Progress reports from participating countries were reviewed and discussed. Estonia has been forced to stop data collection owing to lack of funds. Thirteen study centres are now collecting data in the Czech Republic, Greece, the Russian Federation, Slovakia and the United Kingdom (‎ and the Isle of Man)‎. The rest of the meeting was devoted to planning examinations and questionnaires for children in the sutdy aged 7 years and, following the recent publication of the first ELSPAC book on pregnancy in the 1990s, the further planning of the next books. The participants agreed to complete these tasks at the next meeting