1. Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology

2. Landmark Studies Folic acid and NTD prevention – Case-control studies – Intervention studies – Public health interventions PROBIT study – promotion of breastfeeding trial – Showed that BF has an effect on infections in 1 st yr of life, on IQ at 6.5 yrs – No effect on various other outcomes

3. Why is this exciting? Potential for huge impact on public health/society – The “value” of preventing a single birht defect or infant death Easy to see studies through to completion – Pregnancy lasts 9 months – exposure—outcome windows are short Methodological challenges – Lots of problems with existing methods; some simple solutions

4. Data Sources Prospective studies – These are relatively short, but sample sizes often need to be large Databases – McGill Obstetric/Neonatal Database (MOND) – all births at the RVH since 1976, detailed clinical and demographic information – RVH ultrasound databases – Existing studies (e.g., PROBIT)

5. Funding Sources CIHR – Population/public health – Pediatrics – IHDCYH special programs NIH March Of Dimes MCH and SickKids foundations

6. Career Opportunities Small but growing field Several small but strong academic groups in Canada Public Health Agency of Canada Other Public Health groups SPER (Paediatric and Perinatal) – Offshoot of SER that meets the day before the annual SER meeting

7. People at McGill Michael Kramer – PROBIT – Prematurity and socioeconomic status – Methods Claire Infante-Rivard – Genetic epidemiology and perinatal outcomes Robert Platt – Methods