Comparable studies

collected by many other studies. ALSPAC included a clinical session where

measurements were completed and blood was collected (replaced for saliva in the

participant refused blood). During a health examination completed as part of the

German Study on the Health of Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), blood and urine

samples were provided. The KiGGS examination also included the collection of the

aforementioned physical measurements and resting blood pressure/ heart rate. The

Origins Project similarly involved a clinical check-in appointment where an allergy test

was completed and blood, buccal cells, dust, saliva, stools, and urine collected. Lastly,

urine, hair, and stools as well as various environmental samples during the home visit

were collected as part of the ELFE study. Environmental samples included dust which

was taken by the interviewer from the vacuum cleaner or using a cloth and wiping

home surfaces.

The 1958 National Child Development Study has collected blood and saliva samples.

The 1970 British Cohort Study has also collected blood samples, while the most

comparable study to Growing Up in Ireland, the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), has

collected saliva samples from participants. Saliva sampling was chosen as it allowed

for genotyping, was considered a minimally invasive approach and could be collected

by trained interviewers (forgoing the need for nurses/phlebotomists) in the

participants’ homes.

In Ireland, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) has gathered biomarker

data from study participants, collecting blood samples from almost 6,000 participants.

Initial analysis has been conducted (for lipid profiles), while samples have been stored

for future genetic and biomarker studies into healthy ageing.

Recommendation for Cohort 24 at 3 years:

•It is recommended that consideration be given to biomarker collection for subsequent waves of data collection for all Growing Up in Ireland cohorts, with a consultation process initiated on what should be collected.

•It is acknowledged that there would be considerable hurdles associated with collecting biomarker data (in terms of cost, expertise/training required and storage/analysis protocols) but it should be noted that there are examples of other longitudinal panel studies successfully collecting biomarker data in Ireland (TILDA).

•While the timeline to set up this complex function might be considered too tight for Cohort 24 at age 3, starting an exploration of requirements and logistics now could put the study in a position to roll this out at the following wave (age 5 years).

•Analysis of such samples could allow researchers to investigate genetic predictors of health outcomes, as well as the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.

Chapter 3: Early Learning and Care