The ABC study is nested in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (Mor & Bärn undersøkelsen [MoBa]). MoBa was established for the purpose of studying the causes of serious diseases in mothers and children. MoBa began enrolling pregnant mothers in 1999. Participants complete questionnaires during pregnancy and at intervals following birth. These questionnaires survey the dietary intake, health, psychosocial and emotional status of the mother and child, and the development and behavior of the child. Blood samples are obtained from both parents during the pregnancy and at birth (plasma, DNA), and from children at birth and subsequent time points (plasma, RNA, DNA). These samples are suitable for transcript profiling and toxicologic analyses. The MoBa database is also linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBR) and several other national registries, including prescription and immunization registries

 

MoBa births occurring on or after 1 February 2002 are eligible for the Autism Birth Cohort (ABC). ABC subjects are selected and enrolled into the ABC study between ages 36.5 and 43 months. Information is collected on potential cases identified through 36-month screening, referrals, and patient registries and randomly-selected controls during a 1.5 day clinical assessment. Assessment includes diagnostic, cognitive, motor, psychological, medical and family histories, physical exams, and other neuropsychiatric instruments, and an additional blood sample (RNA, protein).