The Murdoch Children's Research Institute's Generation Victoria voluntary project is the largest study of its kind currently under way in the world.

South West Healthcare in Warrnambool and Camperdown and Western District Health Service in Hamilton have joined other regional hospitals across the state taking part in the study.

It will track the well-being of 150,000 Victorians throughout their lives to map the health of an entire generation of young people.

State government innovation, medical research and digital economy minister Jaala Pulford said the groundbreaking project would help doctors and researchers identify any health issues specific or unique to certain areas.

"This GenV research and the samples of two years of babies across Victoria will give us extraordinary tools for our researchers whether they are looking at childhood diabetes, rare genetic diseases, asthma or learning or developmental delays," she said.

"As these babies get older, it will continue to be a resource that will be able to be used by our research community as these kids are teenagers and when they are in their 20s, 30s and so on."

Development of the project started in 2017, before the coronavirus pandemic, and will focus on all health issues.

But it will be able to measure the physical, economic and policy impacts of COVID-19.

Dixie parents Caitlin and Jerram Wurlod, who welcomed their first daughter Quincey into the world on Tuesday night, are taking part in the study.

"Quincey is our third baby, and our first daughter," proud mum Caitlin said.

"We just believe that being involved in programs like this is really important for future research, and especially that regions like the south-west are well represented.

"We're really pleased to come on board and and be part of the data collection process."

Quincey was in quite a hurry to enter the world - so much so that she was born early at home.

The Wurlods said they were grateful for the quick response by the Terang ambulance service after a quick labour at 41 weeks.

"She did arrive early at home but we were transported here and the care team have been incredible," she said.

"We're really grateful for their support.

"She's got two brothers at home who can't wait to meet her."

Expanding the study to regional areas will drive better health outcomes for children, helping doctors and researchers to identify if there are health issues specific or unique to certain areas.

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute is inviting parents and their newborns who have had a baby since Mother's Day 2021 to take part in the project across the region.

So far more than 70 families across the south-west have joined the study since May this year.

Statewide, more than 5000 newborns have become involved, with one-fifth of those born regionally.

There have been 345 births at South West Healthcare since Mother's Day, with 49 babies born in the past month.

The service is expecting 172 more births by the end of the year: 41 in October, 63 in November and 68 in December.

The opt-in birth and parent cohort study will follow babies and their parents to help solve problems like asthma, food allergies, obesity and mental illness - mostly using data that is already routinely collected.

Three new jobs have been created in the south-west across Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton for the life of the GenV project.

South West Healthcare executive director of nursing and midwifery Services Gaynor Stevenson said the health service was excited to be a part of GenV.

"This research could help shape future developments in education and healthcare in regional and rural Victoria," she said.

The research will scale up to partner with all Victorian birthing hospitals, meaning every family with a newborn baby will be able to join up over a two-year period, no matter where they live.

Warrnambool paediatrician Dr Nick Thies said the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on kids' development was yet to be realised.

To have more data around the issue would be a big help for practitioners and researchers alike, he said.

"With COVID there's certainly been an effect on increased anxiety issues in kids and in families as well," Dr Thies said.

"Some parents, as they homeschool their kids, have started to realise their children have big problems like ADHD. They've become more aware of the educational difficulties their kids have been dealing with now that they have that firsthand experience at home.

"Some kids who don't like socialising, such as those with autism, have been better and less distressed not having to formally socialise with kids all the time, which causes anxieties."

Dr Thies said studies were emerging finding the pandemic had seen increased incidences of childhood abuse and domestic violence.

"Certainly things like exposure to domestic violence in the first year of life has a major influence on the way children behave," he said.

"Those things are really important predictors of later problems in development like mental health. It's interesting to look at things like maternal anxiety, depression and family breakups and how they influence children's development."

Professor Melissa Wake, GenV scientific director and a paediatrician of 30 years, said that by 2035, GenV's vision is to have helped create a happier and healthier future for many children and parents.

"By involving children and families in this once-in-a-generation initiative, GenV can help solve pressing problems like asthma, food allergies, obesity, and mental illness," Professor Wake said.

"In addition, we are seeking to address the inequities that face so many children and families across Victoria. Because GenV will be in every community, it may be especially helpful to the most vulnerable individuals and communities in our state."

Professor Wake said large whole-of-state research projects such as GenV could speed up answers to the major issues facing children and adults, today and for their futures.

"GenV truly is a collaborative study and a partnership of many. We are profoundly grateful to the teams at South West Healthcare and Western District Health Service for partnering with us," she said.

"Over the next two years, around 150,000 children born in Victoria and their parents will have the opportunity to participate in the project.

"Put simply, by signing up to be a part of the GenV generation, parents will help to create a healthier future for all children and their families."

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