Asking Questions about Alcohol in Pregnancy Study (AQUA)
This study seeks to produce timely, new information on the complex relationship between low to moderate alcohol drinking patterns in pregnant women and their infant’s health and development. Exposure data was collected through questionnaires administered during each trimester of pregnancy. Data on other factors that could influence the effects of alcohol such as diet, medication and body size was also collected at each follow-up.
A subgroup of the cohort were invited for 3D craniofacial photography and developmental assessments at 12 months, and two years of age, respectively. Biosamples were collected for the measurement of genetic polymorphisms, and epigenetic studies.
AQUA at 6 is a follow-up of the AQUA participants as they enter their primary school years.
| Study Summary | |
|---|---|
| Study name | Asking Questions about Alcohol in Pregnancy Study |
| Study abbreviation | AQUA |
| Current principal investigator/s |
Jane Halliday Peter Anderson |
| Current project manager |
Evelyne Muggli |
| Primary Institution/s |
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute - MCRI The Royal Children’s Hospital - RCH |
| Collaborating Institution/s |
National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University La Trobe University The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Deakin University Royal Women’s Hospital |
| Major funding source/s |
National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC VicHealth McCusker Charitable Foundation The Jack Brockhoff Foundation Financial Markets Foundation for Children |
| Study website | https://www.mcri.edu.au/research/projects/asking-questions-about-alcohol-pregnancy-aqua/ https://www.mcri.edu.au/aquastudy/aqua-6 |
| Key reference for study | Muggli, E., O’Leary, C., Forster, D., Anderson, P., Lewis, S., Nagle, C., Craig, J.M., Donath, S., Elliott, E. and Halliday, J. (2014). Study protocol: Asking QUestions about Alcohol in pregnancy (AQUA): a longitudinal cohort study of fetal effects of low to moderate alcohol exposure. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 14: 302. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-302 |
| Study focus |
AQUA has collected detailed information about alcohol consumption during pregnancy from nearly 1,600 pregnant women to assess the impact of different amounts of alcohol on the unborn child. The study aims to explore whether alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and other maternal factors are associated with problems in the health and development of young children. |
| Sampling frame |
Participants were recruited through antenatal clinics in 2011-12, from the Mercy Hospital for Women, Royal Women's Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, Dandenong Hospital, Casey Hospital or Box Hill Hospital. Participants were less than 19 weeks pregnant with a single baby at the time of enrolment. |
| Primary study type | Longitudinal cohort |
| Year commenced |
2011 |
| Is this study ongoing? | Yes - the study is ongoing |
| Ongoing recruitment? | Yes |
| Sample size (N) |
AQUA: 2146 |
| Survey data available? | Yes |
| Imaging data available? | Yes |
| Linkage to administrative dataset/s? | Yes, linkage to (at least one) administrative dataset completed |
| Biosamples available? | Yes |
| Are data available to others outside study team, with appropriate safeguards and structures in line with the cohort’s ethics and governance processes? | Yes |
| Are there any costs associated with data/sample access for approved requests? | There are usually no costs associated with access |
| Broadest type of participant consent available |
Extended consent (can be used for future ethically approved research related to this project) |
| Wave | Year | Age | Sample size (N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-2012 | 19 weeks gestation | N(Total)=2146 |
| 2 | 2011-2012 | 26 weeks gestation | N(Total)=1715 |
| 3 | 2011-2012 | 36 weeks gestation | N(Total)=1571 |
| 4a | 2011-2012 | Birth | N(Total)=1401 |
| 4 | 2013-2014 | 12 months | N(Total)=1296 |
| 5 | 2014-2015 | 2 years | N(Total)=1038 |
| AQUA@6 | 2018-Ongoing | 6-7 years | IN PROGRESS |
| Study Contacts | |
|---|---|
| Principal investigator/s |
Jane Halliday Peter Anderson |
| Project manager |
Evelyne Muggli |
| Study Contact |
Ph: +61 3 8341 6260
|