The first few months of life are a special time when your child has to adapt to its environment.

During this time, the immune system receives support from maternal surrogate immunity, often referred to as "nest protection" . Maternal antibodies are transferred to the child during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

The antibodies are created through the mother's contact with pathogens or through vaccinations.

However, many questions about nest protection, especially with regard to corona, are still unanswered.

 

We want to answer the following questions with our NEST study:

Does a corona infection or vaccination during pregnancy protect your child from a corona infection in the first year of life?

What effect does a corona infection or vaccination during pregnancy have on the development of your child's immune system?

What effects do other infections during pregnancy have on the development of your child's immune system?

 

Are you interested?

For the NEST study, we are looking for mothers with and without corona infection/vaccination during or before pregnancy.

Part I

During pregnancy

• Detailed information and consent
• Online or telephone questionnaire

After the birth

• Collection of umbilical cord blood (normally "thrown away")
• Blood collection from the mother (before discharge)
• Examination of breast milk
• Examination of the child's nasal mucus
• Questionnaire on your child's health in the 6th and 12th month of your child's life (online or by telephone)

 

Part II

We would be very pleased if you would also be prepared to send us a nasal swab if your child has a fever, cough or cold in the first year of life.

We also invite you to visit us at the pediatric clinic in the 6th and 12th month of life to examine your child's nasal mucus and blood.

Instructions for performing a nasal/throat swab

When do I carry out a nasopharyngeal swab on my child?

If there is a respiratory infection during the first year of life or if there are symptoms such as a cold, cough and fever.

What materials do I need?

Only the materials in this pack: Gloves size M, medium in transport tube, swab, questionnaire

How do I carry out a nasopharyngeal swab?

https://www.youtube.com/yqI3TTu5VMs

How do I send the sample material?

The package is already labeled and stamped, so all you have to do is seal it together with the completed questionnaire and drop it in the Deutsche Post mailbox. It would be best if you could send the parcel within one day of taking the sample.

Prof. Dr. Gesine Hansen

Director

Managing Director

Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

 

If you are interested in supporting us with an umbilical cord blood donation or would like more information, please contact

 

Maximilian Krafft

Study physician

Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Email:NEST@mh-hannover.de

Phone: 0176 1532 7144