Children of the 90s: Members gather for first time in 10 years

Some study participants recruited in the 90s now have children of their own

Hundreds of participants of a long-running study into children's health have gathered for the first time in a decade.

The Bristol-based Children of the 90s project has followed tens of thousands of children born between 1991 and 1992.

Its findings have informed policy and childcare advice worldwide since then.

"Our study showed that putting a baby on its back to sleep was fine, various countries changed their advice because of this," Professor Jean Golding said.

The professor, who founded the study, said: "Tens of thousands of babies haven't died because of this."

"When we started this study, I thought we'd only get to the age of seven years old for our children, now I can put a zero on the end of that," she said.

Professor Golding continues to work with the project she set up three decades ago

The study has continued to help recent scientific advances, with participants also taking part in research into Long Covid.

It has also revealed how maternal depression has increased in recent years, and a study on internet use and suicide was used for a parliamentary report on how social media can affect mental health.

Currently about 27,800 people contribute to Children of the 90s - 11,900 mothers from the original cohort, 3,400 fathers, 11,300 children of those original parents and 1,200 grandchildren.

Nick Timpson, principal investigator of the study, said: "Our participants are extremely dedicated, after 30 years they still contribute their time, there's a real civic feel to it.

"All of our participants are invited to come back and see us, the doors are always open."

Gillian Nicholls' third child is still part of the survey

Gillian Nicholls, who was one of the first to sign up her child, said it was "humbling" for her to take part in the study.

"I enjoyed being part of something that was going to be really big.

"My study child is now 33 and is still involved, it's great that it can help future children be healthier," she said.

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