British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) The past 12 months to August 2007 has seen the commencement of five new BPSU studies into childhood conditions. These include vitamin k deficiency bleeding, fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, genital herpes in children under 11 years and most recently, congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A study on intracranial idiopathic hypertension (IIH), funded by the Sir Peter Tizard bursary, commenced in July 2007. Studies on HIV/AIDS, congenital rubella, progressive intellectual and neurological deterioration, scleroderma, MRSA and MCADD continue. The orange card system for the surveillance of rare childhood disease continues to be viewed as a valuable epidemidological and educational resource. Paediatricians report anonymised cases each month on a distinctive orange card and details of the reporting clinician are passed on to the researcher so the cases can be followed up. Card returns rates have increased in the past year and currently stand at 94%, whilst questionnaire return rates are over 90%. For more information about the orange card system www.rcpch.ac.uk/Research/BPSU
The BPSU staff also continue to write and contribute to articles and reports of medical research interest. n Beyond Counting Numbers – Public Health Impact of Studies Conducted through National Paediatric Surveillance Units. Grenier D, Elliott EJ, Zurynski Y, Pereira R Rodrigues, Reece M, Lynn R, Kries R von. Arch Dis Child Jun 2007; 92: 527-533. The unit also demonstrated 20 years of achievement, as celebrated in the previous reporting year, with the following Archives of Disease in Childhood article in 2007. n British Paediatric Surveillance Unit – 20 years of surveillance. Lynn RM, Ross ER. Arch Dis Child – 2007- Sep 2007; 92: 744 – 745.
Supporting Achievements in Research The RCPCH/Wellchild Research Award was created to recognise research achievements. WellChild is the UK charity dedicated to the needs of sick children and families. The RCPCH Vice President for Science and Research oversees the nominations and, in 2006, the first award was won by Dr Paul Gissen from Birmingham Children’s Hospital for his work on Arthrogryposis, Renal Dysfunction and Cholestasis (ARC) Syndrome. For more information visit the Research section of the RCPCH website at: www.rcpch.ac.uk/Research/Research-Activity.
Public Information The provision of information to the public is an important aspect of research activity. In January 2007, the Research Department, the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group and WellChild started a joint project to produce drug information directed at the specific information needs of parents and children and the conditions/illnesses for which they are prescribed. The project aims to deliver this information in a variety of formats, initially as a leaflet.
Professor Terence Stephenson Vice President for Research
References: 1 RCPCH 2007An investigation into the nature and impact of complaints made against paediatricians involved in child protection procedures. 2 Haines L, Wan KC, Lynn R, Barrett TG, Shield JP. Rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in children in the UK. Diabetes Care 2007; 30 (5):1097-101.
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1 Guideline Appraisal: Decreased Consciousness in Children. 2 Guideline Appraisal: Depression in Children. 3 Guideline Appraisal: Mouth Care for Children and Young People with Cancer.
4 RCPCH Publication: An Investigation into the Nature and Impact of Complaints made Against Paediatricians. 6
5 Well Child Researcher Award. 6 British Paediatric Surveillance Unit Report Card (‘orange card’).
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