ELFE

French Longitudinal Study from Childhood.
Elfe logo

ELFE is the first French longitudinal cohort on a national scale devoted to the follow-up of children, which addresses the multiple aspects of their lives from the perspective of social sciences, health, and the environment.

For the first time, researchers from all walks of life are following the history of children from birth to adulthood.

Key elements

  • 18,300 children followed
  • Since 2011
  • For 20 years

Objectives of the cohorte

More than 18,000 children born in metropolitan France in 2011 were enrolled in the study, which represents one in every 50 children born in 2011. The observation of children born in the same period, over a period of twenty years, represents a unique opportunity to better understand what influences their development and how they find their place in society.

The ELFE study mobilizes more than 150 researchers from many scientific disciplines. Those researchers are interested in the health of children, their schooling, their diet, their family and social life and their environment. Cross-referencing these multiple pieces of information makes all the scientific richness of the ELFE study.

Recent publications

  • Social Sciences

 « Les enfants à l’épreuve du confinement », Population et Sociétés, n°585, janvier 2021

  • Health

Barandon S, Balès M, Pambrun E, Melchior M, C-Glangeaud-Freudenthal NM, Van der Waerden J, Verdoux H, Sutter-Dallay AL. Maternal post-natal depressive symptoms at 2 months: Effects of French antenatal preventive measures in the E.L.F.E. cohort. J Affect Disord. 2021 Oct 1;293:238-244. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.055. Epub 2021 Jun 24. PMID: 34217961.

  • Environment

Ouidir M, Seyve E, Rivière E, Bernard J, Cheminat M, Cortinovis J, Ducroz F, Dugay F, Hulin A, Kloog I, Laborie A, Launay L, Malherbe L, Robic PY, Schwartz J, Siroux V, Virga J, Zaros C, Charles MA, Slama R, Lepeule J. Maternal Ambient Exposure to Atmospheric Pollutants during Pregnancy and Offspring Term Birth Weight in the Nationwide ELFE Cohort. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 28;18(11):5806. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115806. PMID: 34071637; PMCID: PMC8198942.

  • More publications here

Management and governance

Directed by Marie-Aline Charles, steered by the National Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), in partnership with the French Blood Establishment (EFS), the ELFE study is supported by a number of ministries and public institutions.

Terms and conditions of accessing cohort data

To find out how to access cohort data, click here (FR).

Detailed information