For Participants

Keep your contact details up to date so you don’t miss study updates, appointments, or newsletters.

Update Your Details

Moved house? Changed phone number or email?

Keeping your contact details current helps us stay in touch and makes sure you never miss important study updates, appointments, or newsletters.

Call or text us

0400 432 976

Email Us

bis@barwonhealth.org.au

Prefer Online?

Update via our secure for below...

Dropping Off a Sample?

Before you bring your sample in, please make sure to:

Label it with the date and time of collection.
Freeze it as soon as possible after collection.
Follow the steps in our guide below.

Every sample helps us unlock important discoveries — thank you!

View Urine Collection Guide View Stool Collection Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BIS study?

The Barwon Infant Study explores a wide range of factors that influence child development and lifelong wellbeing, including:

Genetics
We explore how genetic factors interact with a child’s environment to influence development, disease risk, and resilience from birth onward.

Allergies & Asthma
We study how early gut health, immune development, and exposures like vitamin D and folate affect the risk of allergies and asthma. Diverse gut microbes may support a more resilient immune system.

Cardiovascular Health
We examine how heart and blood vessel health begins in infancy. Early signs of cardiovascular disease can appear in newborns and may be shaped by pregnancy and birth factors.

Respiratory Health
Our lung function assessments at four weeks help reveal how babies’ lungs grow and why some children may be more prone to conditions like asthma later in life.

Dental & Eye Health
We're investigating how early-life exposures and health patterns relate to oral development and vision. These foundational systems influence wellbeing throughout childhood.

Mental Health & Neurodevelopment
We look at the impact of environmental chemicals, nutrition, and stress on behaviour, attention, memory, and emotional development in early life.

Physical Growth
Tracking growth patterns from birth helps us understand links between early nutrition, metabolism, and future health outcomes, including obesity and metabolic conditions.

Lifestyle & Environment
From pollutants to parental health, we study how modern life influences a child’s biology. This includes exposures to plastics, stress, diet, and living conditions.

Who is running the study?

BIS is conducted in partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Deakin University, and Barwon Health, and is primarily funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Who is in the study?

More than 1,000 mother-infant pairs from the Barwon region are participating in BIS. We’ve been working with families since 2010.

How long does the study go for?

BIS is a long-term (longitudinal) study.

The longer we follow participants, the more valuable the data becomes in understanding how early life affects long-term health. The study will continue as long as funding allows.

Am I still in the study?

Yes — if you were enrolled at birth, you’re still part of BIS! Participation in any given component is always optional, and we’ll always check in for your consent.

I’ve moved away from the region — can I still take part?

Absolutely! Many components of the study can be done online or by phone.

Contact us to chat about flexible options that work for you and your family.

What if I want to withdraw?

We understand that life changes. If you’d like to pause or withdraw from the study, simply contact the BIS team!

Why continue participating?

Your involvement is helping uncover ways to prevent and treat disease — both in Australia and worldwide. While there may not be direct benefits to your child, your contribution is helping future generations thrive. In return, we provide feedback on some assessments such as neurodevelopment and dental health.

About Data Linkage

What is data linkage?

Data linkage helps us combine the information you’ve given us with secure, de-identified records from public sources (like Medicare or school health data). This means we can reduce how many questions we ask while still learning more — with less effort for you.

Is it safe?

Yes. All data is de-identified — we don’t see names, birthdates, or addresses. We’ll never request access to sensitive services like Centrelink or criminal records. Your consent is always required before any data is accessed.

What types of records do you use?

With your permission, we may link to:

• Medicare and hospital records
• School enrolment or academic progress
• Immunisation and health check information

Can I change my mind?

Of course. You can opt out of data linkage at any time. Just get in touch with the BIS team, and we’ll update your preferences.

Download the Data Linkage Participant Information

Family and Community Resources

Local Family Support – Geelong & Barwon Region

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative

Provides culturally secure services to the Aboriginal community including health, counselling and family support.

View Website

Bethany Community Support

Supports families with services such as parenting programs and supported playgroups.
Phone: 03 5278 8122

View Website

Barwon Child, Youth & Family (BCYF)

Focuses on improving the wellbeing of children, young people and families in the Barwon region.
Phone: 03 5226 8900

View Website

The Orange Door – Barwon

Free service supporting women and children experiencing family violence or in need of support.
Location: 83 Moorabool Street, Geelong
Phone: 1800 312 830

View Website

Parenting & Child Development

Raising Children Network

A complete online resource for Australian parents and carers. Offers trusted, reliable, free information on everyday parenting issues from pregnancy through to teens.

View Website