The study design encompasses a multi-centre pilot cohort study that will be conducted across three different regions within Peru, in the coast (Lima), Andes (Ayacucho) and Amazon rainforest (Pucallpa). The study period will be between April 2019 - March 2022 (36 months).
The study population are new-borns born between December 2019 and December 31st, 2020 in the cities of Lima, Ayacucho and Pucallpa, meeting inclusion criteria.
The sample size will be 300 mother/infant pairs (100 new-borns in each region), overall 600 participants. The sample selection was done for convenience in primarily urban settings.
The follow-up will take place at prenatal (mothers) visits, then at childbirth and at new-born ages 4, 8 and 12 months (mother-infant pairs).
The study will use an eco-bio-social-political approach with the following measurements: Ecological/Environmental: sater, soil and air samples, GIS-mapping. Biological: Mother and infant: Blood, stool samples; anthropometric assessment according to standard procedures. Social: nutritional household survey; in-depth-interviews and focus groups with participating mothers. Political/Economic: Policy and capacity analysis, focus groups with stakeholders.