Evaluation of protocol amendments to the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study during the COVID‐19 pandemic

摘要: The Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study is an Australia-wide observational pregnancy-birth cohort of children at genetic risk on account of a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes. 1 A total of 1511 participants were recruited from all Australian States and Territories from 2013 to 2019 with 1473 live-born infants in follow-up. The standard protocol involves 3-monthly face-to-face visits from pregnancy until the child is 2 years of age, then 6-monthly visits. Study staff across nine centres in five States collect biospecimens (blood, urine, stool, swabs) and administer lifestyle and dietary questionnaires. Approximately 10% of the cohort are engaged in a Regional Participant Program2 that requires self-collection of sample types except for venepuncture performed at local pathology services.As COVID-19 case numbers increased across Australia from March 2020, 3 hospitals and institutions …