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Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit : progress report
A Morris1, G F Ridley, E J Elliott
1Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. annem3@chw.edu.au
Insights
The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) actively monitors rare childhood diseases, collecting crucial epidemiological data. This surveillance enhances pediatrician collaboration and informs public health strategies for prevention and resource allocation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) is a vital research resource for tracking rare and uncommon childhood conditions.
- Active surveillance allows for the collection of epidemiological data on various pediatric diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the methodology and impact of the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) in monitoring rare childhood conditions.
- To highlight the role of APSU in facilitating collaboration among pediatricians and informing health authorities.
Main Methods:
- APSU utilizes monthly report cards sent to all Australian pediatricians to gather data on diagnosed conditions.
- A 98% response rate from pediatricians and a 90% response rate for postal questionnaires ensure robust data collection.
- The unit monitors 27 diverse conditions, including vaccine-preventable, infectious, genetic, congenital, and non-communicable diseases.
Main Results:
- High response rates (98% for report cards, 90% for questionnaires) indicate effective data capture.
- Information dissemination through annual reports, newsletters, and publications enhances awareness among health professionals.
- APSU data supports health authorities in planning prevention, intervention, and resource allocation strategies.
Conclusions:
- The APSU is an effective system for the epidemiological surveillance of rare childhood conditions in Australia.
- The surveillance data contributes to improved pediatric care, disease prevention, and public health policy.
- International collaboration through the International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units expands the reach and impact of APSU findings.
Abstract:
The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU), through active surveillance, collects information on the epidemiology of rare or uncommon childhood conditions. This research resource allows paediatricians to collaborate at State, national and international levels. The APSU sends a monthly report card to all (currently 971) paediatricians in Australia, who in turn indicate whether or not they have seen a patient in the last month with any of the conditions listed (98% response rate in 1999). Study investigators, notified by the APSU of positive case reports, obtain demographic and clinical data on the patient from the reporting doctor by postal questionnaire (90% response rate in 1999). Since 1993, the APSU has monitored 27 conditions, including conditions that are vaccine-preventable, otherwise infectious, genetic, congenital and non-communicable. Information collected is disseminated to paediatricians and other health professionals via an annual report, newsletters and publications and is made available to the International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units. Information provided by the APSU has raised awareness among paediatricians of rare and uncommon childhood conditions, and has been used by health authorities for planning of prevention and intervention strategies and allocation of health resources.