Preparing for Your Kids Check Appointment

Enrolment Appointment 

The enrolment appointment is held between 18 weeks and 38 weeks gestation for people birthing at Joondalup Health Campus. 

Questionnaires: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them 

Biological collections: 

A sample of your blood, saliva, hair, and a buccal (cheek) swab will be collected.

You will be given your at-home sample packs and be told how to use them and what is needed for your next timepoint.

Should your partner choose to be involved in the study, a sample of their blood, saliva and a buccal (cheek) swab will be collected.

Measurements: 

Your height, weight and blood pressure will be measured.

Follow-up Appointment 

If you have been enrolled prior to 32 weeks gestation, this appointment will take place around 36 weeks gestation or sometime during the third trimester.

Questionnaires: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them 

Biological collections: 

A sample of your blood, urine, a buccal (cheek) swab and a small sample of saliva will be collected.

Prior to the visit you will be asked to collect a small sample of dust from your home, as well as a small stool sample - see our stool sample collection sheet here.

At Delivery & Before You Go Home

Before you leave Joondalup Health Campus, an ORIGINS team member will visit you in your room and sign your baby into the study, leaving you with your take-home sample collection packs for the first year of your baby's life.

Biological collections: 

If you have given consent, cord blood and placental tissue will be collected at the birth of your baby. 

If possible, a small sample of colostrum (first breast milk) will also be collected, and your baby will have a sample of meconium (first poo) collected. 

If your partner has joined ORIGINS, a small sample of saliva and a buccal (cheek) swab will also be collected from them.

Measurements: 

We will also collect information about the delivery of your baby and baby's details including name, sex, birth weight, length, and head circumference.

Your baby's body fat composition will be measured in our PEA POD, a non-invasive scale measurement conducted in a capsule.

At 2 & 6 months 

This activity can take place at your home, and samples dropped off to the ORIGINS clinic in Edgewater. 

Questionnaires: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them 

Biological collections:

When your baby is 2 months old, and again when they're 6 months old, you will be asked to collect a sample of your and your baby's stool. After collection, this can be stored in your freezer until you're ready to drop it to the ORIGINS clinic at your convenience. 

Please see our stool sample collection sheet here. 

If you are breastfeeding, we'll ask for a small sample of breast milk, alongside a sample of you and your baby's urine.

These samples need to be collected the morning of, and be delivered back to ORIGINS on the same day. 

1-Year Telehealth Appointment

You will receive an email to let you know that your child is now eligible to book in their one year telehealth appointment, which can be booked either via a phone call, or the ORIGINS app.

We will give you a follow up call if you are yet to book your appointment. Telehealth instructions will be shared once your appointment is booked in. This appointment has to be completed first before your in person allergy testing can occur at your Kids Check.

In-Person Kids Check Appointment 

Before Your Kids Check: 

Please complete your web-based questionnaires at home before your appointment. These questionnaires will be sent to you before your appointment and include the: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's developmen ($20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion!) 
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them 
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development 

Each time you complete a questionnaire or drop in a sample, you go into the monthly draw to win a $100 Coles e-voucher!

These questionnaires will be independently reviewed by a paediatrician prior to your appointment, so it's preferred if these can be completed before your Kids Check wherever possible. 

You will be notified if the paediatrician identifies any issues, however, if you have any concens about your child's health and development, you can discuss these with the team at your Kids Check appointment who will book an appointment with our ORIGINS paediatrician if they feel it is necessary. 

If you haven't received your questionnaires, and they're not in your junk folder, please email the paeds team.

Please avoid using antihistamines five days prior to your appointment. If antihistamines are required/have been given or your child is unwell, please contact the team to change your appointment. 

Things to bring to your Kids Check: 

• Your child's purple book 
• A water bottle, snacks, and any comfort toys 
• Any samples you have collected at home the morning of your appointment (a biological sample pack will have been posted to you before your appointment) 
  
  • If you haven't collected your samples on the morning of your appointment, please bring the packs along with you to your Kids Check 
  • If you have not received your sample packs, please email the ORIGINS paeds team or call (08) 6375 6300 
• Collect details about your partner’s height and weight (if applicable) and make a note of them in your phone so you have them with you on the day

During Your Kids Check: 

This is a 90-minute appointment that takes place at the ORIGINS Edgewater clinic. 

Biological collections:

With your consent, we'll take a blood test from your child which you will receive the results of to provide to your GP. The blood test will be taken alongside a saliva and cheek cell swab.

This will be followed by an allergy skin prick test, which you will receive the immediate results of. 

If possible during your appointment, we will collect a urine sample from your child. 

If the mother attends with the child and is still breastfeeding, they will be asked to provide a sample of breast milk, alongside a cheek and saliva cell swab and a hair sample taken. 

Measurements: 

The ORIGINS team will measure your child's height, weight and head circumference. 

After Your Kids Check: 

When you arrive - or during your Kids Check - the paeds team will provide you with a stool collection kit to take home. Please undertake the collection, store the sample in your freezer, and delive to ORIGINS at your convenience. 

See our stool collection instruction sheet here. 

In the weeks following your Kids Check, you'll receive the results of your child's blood test. 

Before Your Kids Check: 

Please complete your web-based questionnaires at home before your appointment. These questionnaires will be sent to you before your appointment and include the: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development ($20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion!) 
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development 
• Conners Early Childhood - designed to evaluate behavioural, social, emotional, and developmental milestones

Each time you complete a questionnaire or drop in a sample, you go into the monthly draw to win a $100 Coles e-voucher!

These questionnaires will be independently reviewed by a paediatrician prior to your appointment, so it's preferred if these can be completed before your Kids Check wherever possible. 

You will be notified if the paediatrician identifies any issues, however, if you have any concens about your child's health and development, you can discuss these with the team at your Kids Check appointment who will book an appointment with our ORIGINS paediatrician if they feel it is necessary. 

If you haven't received your questionnaires, and they're not in your junk folder, please email the paeds team.

Please avoid using antihistamines five days prior to your appointment. If antihistamines are required/have been given or your child is unwell, please contact the team to change your appointment. 

Things to bring to your appointment:

• Any samples you have collected at home throughout the year (e.g any stool samples in your freezer)
• Bathers (please no rashies or long-sleeved bathers) for your child's scan in the BOD POD (note, they won't get wet) 
• Collect details about your partner’s height and weight (if applicable) and make a note of them in your phone so you have them with you on the day
• A water bottle, snacks, and any comfort toys

During Your Kids Check: 

This is a 90-minute appointment that takes place at the ORIGINS Edgewater clinic. 

Biological collections: 

With your consent, we'll take a blood test from your child which you will receive the results of to provide to your GP. The blood test will be taken alongside a saliva and cheek cell swab.

This will be followed by an allergy skin prick test, which you will receive the immediate results of. 

If possible during your appointment, we will collect a urine sample from your child. 

Measurements: 

The ORIGINS team will measure your child's height, weight and head circumference. 

We'll also take a blood pressure test of you, your child, and your birthing partner if they're present. 

Your child will then be scanned in the BOD POD to measure their body composition. 

After Your Kids Check: 

When you arrive - or during your Kids Check - the paeds team will provide you with a stool collection kit to take home. Please undertake the collection, store the sample in your freezer, and delive to ORIGINS at your convenience. 

See our stool collection instruction sheet here. 

In the weeks following your Kids Check, you'll receive the results of your child's blood test. 

Before Your Kids Check: 

Please complete your web-based questionnaires at home before your appointment. These questionnaires will be sent to you before your appointment and include the: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development ($20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion!) 
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them  ($20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion!) 
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development
• Conners Early Childhood - designed to evaluate behavioural, social, emotional, and developmental milestones

Each time you complete a questionnaire or drop in a sample, you go into the monthly draw to win a $100 Coles e-voucher!

These questionnaires will be independently reviewed by a paediatrician prior to your appointment, so it's preferred if these can be completed before your Kids Check wherever possible. 

You will be notified if the paediatrician identifies any issues, however, if you have any concens about your child's health and development, you can discuss these with the team at your Kids Check appointment who will book an appointment with our ORIGINS paediatrician if they feel it is necessary. 

If you haven't received your questionnaires, and they're not in your junk folder, please email our paeds team. 

Please avoid using antihistamines five days prior to your appointment. If antihistamines are required/have been given or your child is unwell, please contact the team to change your appointment. 

Things to bring to your appointment:

• Any samples you have collected at home throughout the year (e.g any stool samples in your freezer)
• Bathers (please no rashies or long-sleeved bathers) for your child's scan in the BOD POD (note, they won't get wet)
• Collect details about your partner’s height and weight (if applicable) and make a note of them in your phone so you have them with you on the day
• A water bottle, snacks, and any comfort toys

During Your Kids Check: 

This is a 90-minute appointment that takes place at the ORIGINS Edgewater clinic. 

Biological collections: 

With your consent, we'll take a blood test from your child which you will receive the results of to provide to your GP. The blood test will be taken alongside a saliva and cheek cell swab.

This will be followed by an allergy skin prick test, which you will receive the immediate results of. 

If possible during your appointment, we will collect a urine sample from your child. 

Measurements:

 The ORIGINS team will measure your child's height, weight and head circumference. 

We'll also take a blood pressure test of you, your child, and your birthing partner if they're present. 

Your child will then be scanned in the BOD POD to measure their body composition. 

After Your Kids Check:

When you arrive - or during your Kids Check - the paeds team will provide you with a stool collection kit to take home. Please undertake the collection, store the sample in your freezer, and delive to ORIGINS at your convenience. 

See our stool collection instruction sheet here. 

In the weeks following your Kids Check, you'll receive the results of your child's blood test. 

Before your Kids Check: 

Please complete your web-based questionnaires at home before your appointment. These questionnaires will be sent to you before your appointment and include the: 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development ($20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion!) 
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them 

Each time you complete a questionnaire or drop in a sample, you go into the monthly draw to win a $100 Coles e-voucher!

If you do have concerns about your child's health and development, you can discuss these with the team at your Kids Check appointment. 

If you haven't received your questionnaires, and they're not in your junk folder, please email our paeds team.

Things to bring to your Kids Check: 

• Any samples you have collected at home throughout the year (e.g any stool samples in your freezer)
• Bathers (please no rashies or long-sleeved bathers) for your child's scan in the BOD POD (note, they won't get wet) 
• Collect details about your partner’s height and weight (if applicable) and make a note of them in your phone so you have them with you on the day
• A water bottle, snacks, and any comfort toys

During your Kids Check: 

This is a 90-minute appointment that takes place at the ORIGINS Edgewater clinic. 

Now that our ORIGINS kids are getting so big, both you and your child will need to consent to the tests and assessments your child will complete during their Kids Check. 

Our clinic team will walk you through these forms and what to expect. 

In addition to this, we'll also be talking to our participating families about reconsenting to data linkage. Learn more about data linkage, how it works, and why it helps researchers answer important child health questions by reading our blog. 

Biological collections: 

We'll be taking a blood test from you and your child with both of your consents. Your child's iron levels will be retested, and you'll receive the results of each blood test.

If possible during the appointment, we'll collect a urine sample from your child.  

Measurements: 

The ORIGINS team will measure your child's height, weight and head circumference, as well take both you and your child's blood pressure reading. 

Your child will then be scanned in the BOD POD to measure their body composition. 

The 8-Year Kids Check will also introduce the Tanner Scale, which measures physical developments associated with puberty. This will be completed by the accomopanying parent whilst their child is completing our new child-led assessments (see below under 'Assessments').

Alongside the Tanner Scale, ORIGINS is also introducing the SENS motion device - a palm-sized, thin, stick-on device that will measure you and your child's sleep and physical activity for seven days. 

With you and your child's consent, our paed's team will stick the device to your upper thighs, and instructions will be provided to you on how to remove the device at home. 

After seven days, you will receive a report for both you and your child outlining your sleep and physical activity throughout the week you wore the device, which can be used in future healthcare appointments. 

Learn more about how the SENS motion device works below and in our helpful parent guide.

Assessments: 

The 8-Year Kids Check includes the addition of new child-led assessments, including:  

• A language and reading screening assessment, which you will receive the results of to check if your child is on track, with the option to provide the results to your child's school
• A 'draw-and-tell' activity known as 'Voice of the Child' where your child will be asked child-led prompts on what's included in the drawing, how they felt while drawing, and how it relates to their life
• A survey measuring your child's quality of life (PEDS QL), alongside a questionnaire assessing your child's emotional wellbeing

After your Kids Check: 

In the weeks following your Kids Check appointment, you will receive the results of:

• You and your child's blood test to provide to your GP 
• Your child's iron levels to provide to your GP 
• Your child's language and reading assessment, which you can provide to your child's school 
• A record of your child's sleep and physical activity via the SENS device 

In the years within and outside of your Kids Check appointments, we will ask you to complete some of the following questionnaires to track your child's and family's health and development over the years.

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
  • $20 Coles e-vouchers provided on completion at five, six, and seven year timepoints
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them
  • $20 Coles e-voucher provided on completion at five year timepoint 
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development
• Conners Early Childhood - designed to evaluate behavioural, social, emotional, and developmental milestones
• Short Food Frequency questionnaire - designed to estimate your child's nutrient intake and dietary patterns over a set period 

You might notice that some of the questionnaires seem repetitive - this is to help monitor changes that occur over time and the same questions can be asked at multiple timepoints.

Please attempt to complete the questionnaires within two weeks of receiving the email prompt. This is so that we know the data you are providing is as accurate as possible. 

Each time you complete a questionnaire or drop in a sample, you go into the monthly draw to win a $100 Coles e-voucher!

If you are having trouble finding your questionnaires and they are not in your junk folder, please email the paeds team and we will re-send your email. 

Antenatal: Initial questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development

Antenatal: 20 week questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them

Antenatal: 36 week questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them

2 month questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development

4 month questionnaires

• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

6 month questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them

9 month questionnaires

• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

1 year questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

2 year questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

3 year questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Food Frequency for Children questionnaire - designed to estimate your child's nutrient intake and dietary patterns over a set period
• Conners Early Childhood - designed to evaluate behavioural, social, emotional, and developmental milestones
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

4 year questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

5 year questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Food Frequency for Children questionnaire - designed to estimate your child's nutrient intake and dietary patterns over a set period 
• Conners Early Childhood - designed to evaluate behavioural, social, emotional, and developmental milestones
• Ages & Stages questionnaire - designed to help monitor your child's milestone development

6 year questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development

7 year questionnaires 

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development

8 year questionnaires

• ORIGINS Core questionnaire - covers medical history, lifestyle, sleep, physical activity, and your child's development
• Australian Eating Survey - a dietary questionnaire designed to help identify the types of food you eat and how often you have them