What is the Raine Study?

The Raine Study started in 1989, when 2900 pregnant women were recruited into a research study at King Edward Memorial Hospital to examine ultrasound imaging. The mothers were assessed at 18 weeks of pregnancy, then some them again at 24, 28, 34 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. During this time information was collected on the mother and the father, for example diet, exercise, work, health, etc. After the children were born, they were assessed at birth, at one year, then two, three and five years of age. Information on their height, weight, eating, walking, talking, eating, behaviour, any medical conditions or illness etc was collected.

Further follow ups of the cohort have been conducted at eight, ten, fourteen, and seventeen years of age. At each follow-up information is collected from the parents and the child. The current follow up is being done at 20 years of age. This is the first time when the Raine Cohort, now 'adults' are being assessed without parents. We are very grateful to the parents of the Raine Cohort for their support and contribution to the Study over the years, and we welcome our continued involvement.

The Raine Study Time line

	1989 - 1991 The Formation of the Cohort 2,900 pregnant women volunteered to be part of the study at King Edward Memorial Hospital looking a prenatal ultrasound scans. They were 18 weeks pregnant. Some of the mothers were followed up at 24, 28 and 38 weeks gestation. All the families then continued with follow up assessments of their babies. 2868 babies remained with the study and were examined on the first or second day after birth by a child health nurse in King Edward Memorial Hospital.
1990 - 1994 Follow up of babies and toddlers One year old Two years old Three years old The children were examined at one, two and three years of age to assess and record their Growth and Development. At three years of age children's height, weight, blood pressure, physical health and developmental progress were measured. Information on the parents was collected
	1994-1996 Five year old follow up Concentrating on Asthma and Allergy Child's health growth and development Asthma, eczema Skin prick tests for allergy Lung function tests
1996-1997 Eight year follow up Cardiovascular Health Health and development Physical activity and fat intake Physical exercise - blood pressure Blood samples (child and parent)
	1997-2000 Ten year follow up Developmental Health Home life Leisure activities Schooling Language development Behaviour, general health Parent health and happiness Information from teachers and parents about academic achievement and cognitive development.
February 2000 The Raine Study, formerly situated within the grounds of Princess Margaret Hospital, relocated to the new Telethon Institute for Child Health Research building.
	Raine Study 10th birthday On April 9, 2000, the Raine Study celebrated its tenth birthday with five thousand people in Kings Park
19 July 2002 Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard visited the Institute and met some of the Raine Study children.
	2002 Open Day In October 2002 the Raine Study held an open day at the Institute for Raine Study Families
2002 Raine Study Logo - By Eloise "First I thought of Raine Study and drew a raindrop, next I wrote the letters R.S in the middle. Then mum told me about how I came into the study by the ultrasound research, that gave me the idea of a baby in the womb, so I readjusted the words to make it look like a baby in the womb, then I coloured it in with blues,"

2003-2006 Fourteen year follow-up Data collection completed in May 2006 physical activity physical fitness and motor competence diet cardiovascular health back pain, mental health lung function test stress test skin prick test for allergies height, weight, blood pressure blood sample blood pressure monitor


	2006-2009 Sixteen/seventeen year follow up physical activity physical fitness and motor competence diet and nutrition cardiovascular health back pain, mental health height, weight, blood pressure blood sample blood pressure monitor cognitive test risk taking liver ultrasound

2008 -2010 Challenge-me Study at 18 years Measuring Stress sensitivity Cortisol levels through blood or saliva sample	2010 20/21 Year follow up! The Raine Study is following up the cohort as they turn 20 years of age! There are three parts to the research 1. Looking at thinking styles! are you an organised, logical thinker, or are you more intuitative and relaxed, or are you a mixture of both. 2. We are looking at eye health at 20. This is the age which eyes are at their best. We are asking the Raine Cohort to have an eye test, to establish healthy functionality. 3. And thirdly we are asking the male cohort members to participate in research on male health.

Last updated 8 April 2010