The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study is one of the largest successful prospective cohorts of pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and now early adulthood to be carried out anywhere in the world.
The cohort was established between 1989 and 1991 wtih an initial focus to examine the effects of repeated ultrasound imaging and placental blood flow studies during pregnancy; however, the long-term value of this unique cohort was also recognised, and the study continued into childhood, adolescence and now adulthood.
In total, 2900 pregnant women entered the study and 2868 live births were recruited into the Raine Study cohort.
These families have provided environmental, developmental and health information over the past 27 years providing a unique and valuable resource covering a wide range of health areas.
Follow-up assessment of the cohort has been conducted at birth, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20 and 22 years of age . The age 27 year cohort review started in 2017 and is concentrating in cardiovascular health.
The Raine Study is a valuable resource for Western Australian researchers. There are currently more than 150 researchers utilising the Raine Study.
The investigators bring expertise from 25 broad areas of research including; asthma and atopy, cardiovascular and metabolic heath, childhood developmental growth, dental health, diabetes, genetic epidemiology, gastro-enterology, infection and immunity, mental health, musculoskeletal development, nutrition, physical activity, ophthalmology, pregnancy and birth, reproductive health, sleep and risk taking behavior.
Collaboration between the Raine Study and national and international researchers are extensive and continuing to develop which value adds to the cohort and expands research and funding opportunities. The Raine Study is a member of 14 consortia established to amalgamate genome wide association data.
Visit the Raine Study website here.