Synopsis

The Triple B Study: Bumps, Babies and Beyond is a National Health and Medical Research Centre funded initiative involving over 1,600 families. The project is a longitudinal pregnancy cohort which examines a range of biopsychosocial factors that relate to the health and development of children and families. The project has a key focus on examining the impacts of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs) and mental health in pregnant women and their partners during the prenatal period on child development and family functioning. The findings from this research project will inform public health, prevention and treatment initiatives that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families both in Australia and internationally. 

Summary

Study name The Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study (Bumps, Babies and Beyond)
Study abbreviation Triple B
Current principal investigator/s Professor Delyse Hutchinson – Triple B Scientific Director and NHMRC Leadership Fellow
Professor Richard Mattick – NHMRC Principal Research Fellow
Current project manager Jemima Robinson Lake
Cohort representative (study contact) Professor Delyse Hutchinson
Postal address Triple B Study, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy Burwood VIC 3125
Phone +613 9246 8778
Email tripleb@deakin.edu.au
Primary Institution Deakin University
Collaborating Institution/s University of New South Wales
Curtin University
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute – MCRI
University of Sydney
University of Queensland
Major funding sources National Health and Medical Research Council

Australian Rotary Health Mental Health of Young Australians Research Grant

Medical Research Future Fund Research Grant
Study website https://seed.deakin.edu.au/cohort-study/triple-b-pregnancy-cohort-study-bumps-babies-and-beyond/
Key reference Hutchinson, D., Wilson, J., Allsop, S., Elliott, E., Najman, J., Burns, L., Bartu, A., Jacobs, S., Honan, I., McCormack, C., Rossen, L., Fiedler, H., Stone, C., Khor, S., Ryan, J., Youssef, G. J., Olsson, C. A., Mattick, R. P. & The Triple B Research Consortium (2018). Cohort Profile: The Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study: A longitudinal study of the relationship between alcohol, tobacco and other substance use during pregnancy and the health and well-being of Australian children and families. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(1), 26-27m. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx126 
Are data available outside study team? Yes, with formal approval from study investigators
Study focus Effects of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs) and mental health during pregnancy in women and partners on child development and family functioning.
Sampling frame Women attending antenatal services attached to major hospitals, and specialist drug and alcohol antenatal services, in New South Wales and Western Australia.
Year commenced 2009
Commencement sample 1,623
Intergenerational? Yes
Imaging No
Linkage Yes – NAPLAN
Biosamples? Buccal

Urine
Ethics approvals or requirements? This project only (Specific consent); Future research related to this project (Extended consent)

Waves

Wave Year Age (mean, range) Eligible sample
1  2009-2013 Prenatal – Trimester 1 1,621 families
2  2009-2013 Prenatal – Trimester 2 1,598 families
3  2009-2013 Prenatal – Trimester 3 1,580 families
4  2009-2013 Birth 1,479 families
5  2009-2013 8 weeks postnatal 1,461 families
6  2010-2014 Infancy 1,377 families
7  2013-2014 Preschool Substudy: 132 families
8  2017-2022 Middle childhood 1,056 families
9 2024-2030 Adolescence 1,599 families