Introduction: Non-communicable diseases arising in-utero and in early childhood pose a great burden on healthcare systems. Large, population-based biobanks, commencing early in life, have the potential to identify cellular, molecular, and genetic determinants of adverse pregnancy and child health outcomes. Parents of every child born in Victoria over a 2-year period (commencing 4 October 2021; n~150,000) are being offered the chance to participate in the Generation Victoria (GenV) initiative, providing a range of data and biosamples.
Methods: Two classes of samples are included in the GenV biobank:
The Victorian Clinical Genetics Service (pregnancy first trimester foetal screening and newborn blood screening samples) and Victorian Pathology providers (pregnancy serum and/or plasma and third trimester GBS swabs) store deidentified excess clinical samples in 2D-barcoded tubes in our purpose-built, fully automated -80°C biobanking facility.
Results: As of 15th July 2022, 50,560 participants including 19,704 infants have consented to GenV, representing all regions (including rural) and sectors (including multiple languages) of Victoria’s parent-child population; around 90% consent to saliva samples and genetic research. 40,621 saliva, 76,941 first trimester serum and plasma samples and 2,243 GBS swabs have been collected.
Discussion: The GenV biobank offers a unique opportunity to reveal more about environmental exposures during pregnancy and the child’s early life that may impact later outcomes in childhood, biological pathways underpinning a range of pregnancy problems that remain poorly understood and potential biomarkers to predict those at greatest risk of adverse pregnancy or later childhood outcomes. It is evident that GenV’s antenatal and perinatal biobanking model is viable, efficient, and achieved for a fraction of the cost of collecting the same number of stand-alone research samples.