Learn about GenV: your opportunity to create a healthier future GenV is a research project for expecting parents and newborn babies, happening from 2021 to 2023 in Victoria. If you join, you will contribute to healthier children, parents, and families in the future.
Improving care and development through world-class research GenV will work in partnership with Victoria’s health organisations to collect data that will enhance researchers' capacity to understand patient outcomes.
Comprehensive research for precision policy and service delivery GenV aims to transform how we conduct research into health and wellbeing, establishing the foundations for new approaches to data-led policy and strategy development, and the strengthening of service delivery.
Our achievements, partners and key people Learn more about GenV’s collaborative partnerships with leading universities, institutes, and service providers, and meet the people who help to bring our exciting vision to life.
Home\For parents\What information is collected? Back What information is collected? What information is collected? If you join GenV, most of the information we use is data that services already collect for you and your child, with small amounts of additional information from time to time and optional samples. The process is designed to be as easy as possible for you and your child while helping to create a complete picture. When you have a baby, a lot of information is collected about you and your child. This is standard practice: hospitals, clinics, kindergartens, schools and other organisations often conduct tests and record the results to ensure your child is healthy and happy. If you choose to join GenV, we look at some of the standard information that is always recorded by hospitals, schools, and the government. But we also collect a small amount of information that we’re specifically interested in. This helps us plan for a better, healthier future in Victoria. To help you understand how this happens, here’s what a typical journey could look like, and the types of information that are collected along the way. When you have a baby, information gets collected as standard Standard information already collected Additional information that GenV collects Before your baby is born… Tests during pregnancy are very common. Information and samples are collected by services during pregnancy. These ensure you and your baby are healthy. You may receive information on GenV during this time to learn more about us and so that you’ll know to expect us after your baby is born. Standard information collected: Ultrasounds Blood tests Group B Strep (GBS) test Close Ultrasounds Ultrasounds are conducted to check your baby’s health and growth in pregnancy. They are saved as digital scans. Close Blood tests Many women have a screening blood test. This test is taken around 10-to-12 weeks of pregnancy and tests your baby for certain conditions. Close Group B Strep (GBS) test This test involves a swab that is collected around 35-37 weeks. It is used to test for Group B Streptococcus (or GBS), which is a bacterial infection. When your baby is born… After your baby is born, routine ‘screenings’ or tests are done. These check your baby’s health and development. This is also the time when GenV will visit you and give you and your family the chance to join us. Standard information collected: Newborn blood screening Infant hearing screening Close Newborn blood screening A blood sample from your baby’s heel is taken and stored on a card. This is called the newborn screening card, or ‘heel prick test’. The test checks for rare conditions that can be treated. Close Infant hearing screening All Victorian newborns are offered a hearing screen. The screen checks for any hearing loss or impairments. It is usually done in the first few days of your baby’s life. GenV information collected: Your consent to join GenV Saliva cheek swab from you and your baby A stool sample from your baby A breastmilk sample Close Your consent to join GenV A GenV team member will visit you shortly after your baby is born. This is usually in the hospital. We will go through the Parent/Guardian Information Statement. We’ll also answer any questions you may have. You can join by signing a consent form. Close Saliva cheek swab from you and your baby Parents will be asked if they would like us to collect saliva swabs from you and your baby. These swabs will help us better understand how genes and environment influence health and development. These swabs are entirely optional and do not stop you from choosing to join GenV. Close A stool sample from your baby We will offer you a nappy swab kit. The kit collects a small sample of stool (poo) from your baby’s nappy when the baby is about 7 days old or at any time after that. These samples can be used to learn how the gut affects health. This is entirely optional and does not stop you from choosing to join GenV. Close A breastmilk sample We will also offer you a breast milk collection kit. If you are breastfeeding or expressing, you can use this kit to collect about a teaspoon of breastmilk when your baby is about 7 days old or at any time after that. This supports research into child and maternal health and nutrition. This is entirely optional and does not stop you from choosing to join GenV. As your toddler grows… As your child grows, some important information is collected by hospitals, daycare centres, and more. This can include: Standard information collected: Immunisations and vaccinations Maternal and child health visits data Childcare or Kinder visits Close Immunisations and vaccinations If your child has had any vaccinations or immunisations, we’d like to access these records. Close Maternal and child health visits data You and your baby will see a maternal and child health nurse a number of times from birth to school age. The nurse works with families to care for babies and young children. It’s a free service for all Victorian families. Close Childcare or Kinder visits If your child attends childcare or kinder, we’d like to know about their attendance. GenV information collected: Early health and development check-ins Close Early health and development check-ins If you join GenV, we stay in touch 3 or 4 times a year. We check in with your family. Check-ins include things like short surveys or assessments. These will likely be done through your phone, tablet, or computer. When your child starts school... School is an important time. It’s often the start of formal education, and a time for lots of social and emotional development. It also means new information being collected on your child to help inform schools and services. Standard information collected: School Entrant Health Questionnaire Australian Early Development Census National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy Close School Entrant Health Questionnaire When your child starts school, you complete a survey about their health and wellbeing. This happens for all preps (first year of school) in Victoria. Close Australian Early Development Census Like the Census for adults, this looks at all Australian children entering school. It compares your child’s health, education and social outcomes in local communities, as well as across the country. Close National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy NAPLAN is a test of numeracy (e.g. math) and literacy (e.g. reading and writing). It is done each year for all children in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. GenV information collected: School health check Close School health check Once GenV kids have started school, we’d like to do a school health check. This might include assessments and other tests.