Background
We would like to see you again
Why do we want to do this?
How will we look after the information and the samples?
What will you get out of this?
What are your options?
Measurement
Tests for Heart
Venepuncture
Ultrasound
Dental
Heart Rate Variability
Speedy Cards and Strong Souls

Background
When you were born Dr Sue Sayers talked to your mother and she agreed for you to be part of a long study on a group of Aboriginal babies. Many babies were born small. Most were small because they had not grown properly inside their mother (growth retarded) others were small because they were born early (preterm). The mothers who were thin, mothers who smoked more than a packet of cigarettes a day and young mothers were more likely to have small, growth retarded babies. Mothers who had a medical problem during their pregnancy were more likely to have preterm baby.

At that time Dr Sue talked to your mother she mentioned that she would like to see you again in ten years time and if you can remember Dr Sue, Dr Dorothy, Dr Gurmeet and Dr Ingrid all came to see you again when you were about 11 years old.

We saw you when you were about 11 years old

Dr Gurmeet	Dr Dorothy	Dr Sue

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We would like to see you again
When we saw you last time, we measured your size, took an ultrasound of your kidneys, took a blood and urine sample, and you blew into a machine that checked your lung function. We would like to do all those things again exactly the same as before.

But this time as you are older we would like to have a dentist check your teeth, we would like you to fill out a checklist about worries and sadness and do some computer games to test your memory.

We would like to measure your height, weight and upper arm length as well as the circumference of your head, mid arm, and waist. When you are on the scales we can also measure the amount of fat in your body. We would like to check your blood pressure and get you to blow as hard as you can into a machine so that we can measure lung function and measure the size of the kidneys, thyroid and liver with an ultrasound. We would also like to collect and examine a small amount of urine and blood. This means you should not eat from the night before. We will provide food such as a muffin, fruit and fruit juice after the blood is taken. The blood will be taken in sterile conditions and care will be taken not to hurt you. We put on cream that numbs the skin and the needle is not felt. The complete check-up takes about one hour.

The data collected is recorded on sheets kept in locked files at the Menzies School of Health Research and entered into computer programs. Information is only available to the primary investigators and is password protected. When analysing the study data only study numbers are used.

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Why do we want to do this?
We want to try and find out if small (growth retarded) babies and small preterm babies grow up differently to babies who are born at the right time and the right size. We know that too many Aboriginal adults die before they are old from heart problems, kidney disease, lung problems and diabetes. Some studies in other countries show adult health may be due to size of the baby when it is born. Other people believe adult health may be due to the living conditions, the emotional well-being and physical health of the children as they grow up.

If we can get the answers to these research questions we can plan ways to prevent these chronic diseases and reduce the number of Aboriginal people dying before they become old.

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How will we look after the information and the samples?
As this is a longitudinal study, information collected will be kept for use in later studies.

Some tests will be done in a batch which may mean there is a delay before you get the results.

Publications about this work will be made without any identifying facts relating to individuals or their community.

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What will you get out of this?
You may not get that much out of this study personally but you will be helping researchers gain knowledge that may help the future health of Aboriginal people

But we will be checking your growth and nutritional status and the function of the kidneys and lungs. We are trying to find if you are at risk for later heart disease or diabetes. We will be checking you for ear, skin and lung infection. A dentist will check your teeth. We will check your emotional well-being and thinking ability.

Any abnormalities or problems in the areas examined should be detected.
You will be given the option of having the results sent directly to you and/or to your health care clinic. We will tell you what the results mean and if you need to do anything about them. Through this we may be able to help you to improve your current health and prevent future poor health.

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What are your options?
You can agree to do all of the study and be part of a special group who are helping researchers understand how to prevent disease

You can agree to only do some parts of it

You can refuse to be part of this study

You can talk more about this with:
Dr Sue Sayers at the Menzies School of Health Research phone 8922 8701
Mr Joe Fitz at the Menzies School of Health Research 8922 8084

If you are worried or concerned about how this study is being conducted you can complain to the Secretary, Human Research Ethics Committee of the NT Department of Health and Community Services and Menzies School of Health Research
Phone 8922 7922

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Measurement

What it looks for
We do a few measurements to see your body size

How
Stand on scales for weight and body fat percentage
We use a tape measure to measure around your waist, hip, head and arm
Stand against a wall to measure your height
Grip strength test to see your muscle strength

Height	Body fat	Hip
Grip Strength	Head and arm	Waist

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Tests for Heart

Digital Pulse Trace This looks at how stiff your arteries are and is an important risk factor for heart problems The probe is placed on your finger and a computer reads from a red light that goes through your finger It may feel a little warm, but there is no pain.

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Venepuncture

Blood Tests We collect blood for a range of tests, such as Cholesterol, Hb, Hep B Body Fats, Glucose Iron Studies and CRP. Cream is first applied to numb the area, then a band is placed around the arm to trap blood and a needle is inserted and blood extracted straight into a tube. There should be no pain.

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Ultrasound

Ultrasound machine	This is what we will see
The ultrasound machine measures the size of kidneys and checks for stones or scars. It also measures the size of the thyroid and checks for any lumps and cysts. Gel is placed on the probe, which is rubbed along the side of the tummy for the kidneys and on the neck for the thyroid. There is no pain, but gel may feel cold and wet.

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Dental

A dentist will have a look at you teeth and ask you a few questions

The dentist looks at different areas of your mouth that may have inflammation or be sore. Using a small hand-held mirror (that the participant can keep) and a little instrument called a probe, all areas of your mouth are checked, including your teeth, gums, lips and tongue. The instruments will be scratched a little across the teeth, which won't hurt at all. Sometimes when the probe is used for the gums a little bit of bleeding might happen.

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Heart Rate Variability

In this examination we look at variations in your heart beat, which are a normal phenomenon.

We measure the electrical currents, caused by your heart's contraction, through your skin

You feel no pain but it's important that you lie still for a few minutes

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Speedy Cards and Strong Souls

Speedy Cards This computer game looks at how well your thinking and memory is. You need to complete a card game on the computer. It should be fun!!!
Strong Souls This is a set of 38 questions that ask about worries and sadness. All questions are read out to you and you answer on your own copy of the questions. There are no right or wrong answers. No-one else knows what answer you give.

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