Child Epidemiology

Epidemiologists collate and analyse information on occurrences of exposures and health conditions using a variety of methods in order to identify risk factors for these conditions.

Some studies involve direct collection of questionnaire data and genetic samples from participants, while others use administrative data from national and international databases that were often collected for other purposes.

These data are then analysed using appropriate statistical methods to identify associations and to assess whether the exposure may actually cause the disease.

Researchers in the Child Epidemiology Team are involved in:

• A study examining whether recent changes in IVF clinical practice have an impact on childhood and maternal health.
• A study looking at the relationship between birth defects in boys and their subsequent risk of testicular cancer in adulthood.
• A world-first pooled analysis of international data on the association between maternal coffee consumption and risk of childhood leukemia.
• An international study of the genetics of childhood leukemia and brain tumors using whole genome sequencing. This involves using constitutional DNA collected from cancer cases and their parents in our national case-control studies, and analysing trios to identify relevant mutations.
• Investigating the association between childhood sun exposure and myopia in a long-term (20+ year) follow-up of children whose sun exposure was assessed in primary school, the now-adult participants of the Kidskin study
• An intervention study in high schools designed to reduce students’ sun exposure.
• The establishment and growth of a Western Australian Cancer Epidemiology Network to increase collaborative opportunities and support the next generation of cancer epidemiologists.

Team Highlights

Participation in international networks of childhood cancer prevention.