Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2026
Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers
Published on: March 14, 2018
British and American recommendations for developmental monitoring: the role of surveillance
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032.
Insights
British and American pediatric guidelines for developmental monitoring are compatible. Both recommend developmental surveillance, focusing on parent input and skilled observation, rather than routine screening tests for all children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health Surveillance
- Developmental Monitoring
- Preventive Child Healthcare
Background:
- Major British and American pediatric organizations have released new guidelines for developmental monitoring in child health care.
- Initial review suggests differences between British and American recommendations regarding routine developmental examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare recent recommendations for developmental monitoring from British and American pediatric organizations.
- To determine the compatibility and underlying principles of these differing guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the British Joint Working Party on Child Health Surveillance.
- Examination of the evidence base for routine developmental screening versus developmental surveillance.
Main Results:
- Despite apparent differences, the recommendations are compatible, with neither advocating for routine developmental screening tests for all children.
- Both organizations emphasize developmental surveillance, incorporating parental input, developmental history, and skilled longitudinal observation.
Conclusions:
- Developmental surveillance is supported as the preferred method for monitoring child development in preventive care.
- Effective implementation relies on clinical practice integration, professional training, and further research.
Abstract:
Major British and American pediatric organizations have recently issued recommendations for developmental monitoring during preventive child health care. After initial inspection, similarities between the British and American recommendations are not apparent. For example, the Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of assessing development during all child health supervision visits, whereas the British Joint Working Party on Child Health Surveillance discourages routine, repeated developmental examinations. Further analysis reveals, however, that such recommendations are compatible. Neither committee recommends the routine administration of developmental screening tests. Such recommendations are consistent with the lack of evidence to justify routine screening of all children for developmental problems. Instead, both committees suggest that developmental monitoring be performed by the process of surveillance. With developmental surveillance, the importance of eliciting parents' opinions and concerns, obtaining a relevant developmental history, and performing skilled, longitudinal observations of children is emphasized. The success of surveillance depends on the extent to which its implementation is enhanced through clinical practice, professional training, and research.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
01:27Introduction to Developmental Psychology