German Neonatal Network (GNN)

Sample details

GNN is a nationwide, ongoing, prospective cohort study enrolling very low birthweight infants (VLBW; less than 1500 grams) in tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Germany. The network focuses on the long-term effects of genetic, clinical and social risk factors, the influence of center-specific treatment strategies, and the support of randomised clinical trials on VLBW children. GNN began enrolling patients on January 1, 2009. Follow-up of infants is conducted by annual mail questionnaires and follow-up examinations occur at 5 years of age by a study team. Over 15,800 VLBW infants have been recruited between 2009 and 2016.

Study design
Cohort - open

Number of participants at first data collection

15,825 (participants as of 2016)

Recruitment is ongoing

Age at first data collection

Birth (participants)

Participant year of birth

Varied (participants)

Participant sex
All

Representative sample at baseline?
No

Sample features

Premature babies

Very low birthweight infants (VLBW)

Dataset details

Country

Germany

Year of first data collection

2009

Primary Institutions

University of Lübeck (Universität zu Lübeck)

Links

uksh.de/vlbw/

platform.recap-preterm.eu/pub/study/gnn

Profile paper DOI

doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2018-316770

Funders

Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung)

Ongoing?
Yes

Data types collected

Quantitative data collection

Computer, paper or task testing (e.g. cognitive testing, theory of mind doll task, attention computer tasks)
Interview – face-to-face
Physical or biological assessment (e.g. blood, saliva, gait, grip strength, anthropometry)
Self-report questionnaire – paper or computer assisted

Qualitative data collection