Past studies
Find information about previous studies with BPSU over its history. This includes the key findings, as well as any publications associated with the study. These display in order of the study's start date, and you can use the filter to find by category or start date.
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Enterovirus and parechovirus meningitis
Surveillance of enterovirus and parechovirus meningitis in infants less than 90 days of age concluded in July 2015. The study team hope to understand the clinical burden of the condition. A paper has now been published in Archives of Disease in Childhood - see below link to the abstract.
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Listeria infection in infants
Surveillance of listeria infection in infants less than 90 days commenced in September 2017. The study aims to establish the incidence of listeria infection in young infants, define whether some ethnic groups or geographical areas are more affected and describe the management and clinical outcome of the infected babies in the UK and ROI. Results will inform national antibiotic policy for young infants.
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Childhood Scleroderma
This study occurred from July 2005 to July 2007. At that time, Scleroderma affected children as well as adults, and was associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to ascertain the incidence of childhood scleroderma in the UK and Ireland and describe the usual presenting symptoms. It aimed to describe the delay between symptom onset and diagnosis as well as the pattern of care received by affected children before and after diagnosis. Additionally, it aimed to ascertain the demographics of the children affected and describe regional and ethnic variations in incidence
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Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (MRSA)
Surveillance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia in children occurred from June 2005 to June 2007. At the time of surveillance, routine national surveillance had been analysed and identified a potentially worrying increase in MRSA bacteraemia in children. The number of reported cases rose from four in 1990 to 77 in 2000. This study aimed to obtain a robust estimate of the incidence of MRSA bacteraemia in children and to define the demographic and clinical features to identify those children at high risk.
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Early onset eating disorders
This study took place from March 2005 to May 2006. At this time, early-onset eating disorders (EOED: defined here as onset before 13 years of age) were equally as likely to present to paediatricians as child psychiatrists in the UK. This study, supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, aimed to quantify the problem and also examine the circumstances surrounding the onset of illness as well as management regimens. A one-year follow-up would assess short-term outcomes.
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Non-type 1 diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes) 1
When this study was undertaken, the epidemic of childhood obesity led to concerns that there may have been a parallel increase in the number of children with type 2 diabetes, given that type 2 diabetes had a link with obesity in adults. If the increased incidence of childhood obesity in the UK was associated with an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, there was likely to be a significant impact on health service resources. The survey would establish the incidence of non-type 1 diabetes in children as well as early clinical features of type 2 diabetes and its association with obesity. The follow-up would identify clinical management, confirm how many non-type 1 cases are type 2 and examine short-term morbidity.
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Thyrotoxicosis in Childhood
This study was undertaken from September 2004 to September 2005. This study aimed to be a comprehensive survey of childhood thyrotoxicosis in the UK and Ireland. It aimed to identify the incidence of childhood Graves' disease and of the other causes of childhood thyrotoxicosis. It also aimed to describe the presenting features of thyrotoxicosis in children and the initial management received.
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Medium chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase 2
Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) was a recessively inherited metabolic disorder that may cause hypoglycaemia, encephalopathy, hepatic dysfunction and sudden death. Although studies of MCADD screening in other countries existed, important questions were unanswered. Additionally, uncertainty remained over the clinical outcome following detection through newborn screening. This study aimed to ascertain all cases of MCADD diagnosed during the study period to determine the clinical outcome to 2 years of age. This was to inform the national screening policy. It also aimed to determine the detection rate of screening for MCADD in a UK setting.
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Neonatal herpes 2
The study (run from January 2004 to 2007) aimed to estimate the current prevalence of neonatal HSV infection in the British Isles and distinguish the proportion attributable to HSV-1 and HSV-2. Explore the presentation of neonatal HSV infection and the management of diagnosed cases. Assess subsequent morbidity and mortality through the notifying paediatrician. Compare findings with the 1986-91 BPSU cohort, and with other INOPSU studies of HSV and inform the debate on antenatal screening.
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Tuberculosis (TB) in childhood
This study ran from December 2003 to January 2005. At that time, in the UK, tuberculosis (TB) notification rates had stabilised at 11-12 /100,000 population. However, notification rates in London over the decade before the study were more than three times this level. National data on paediatric TB could be derived from statutory notifications and, since 1999, via the enhanced surveillance system. This BPSU study was important in both validating the enhanced surveillance system and informing the development of services for children with TB as part of the overall infection strategy for children.
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Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH)
The surveillance of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) took place from June 2003 to May 2005. There had been few large multi-centre studies of LCH, and there was poor documentation of its epidemiology. The study aimed to describe the epidemiology of LCH in the UK and Ireland as well as variations between ethnic groups and regions. It also aimed to assess the presenting features, the interval between LCH symptoms and diagnosis, referral patterns and outcome for the disease.
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Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia
This two-year study on the surveillance of Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia ran from May 2003 to 2005 at a time when there was no comprehensive study of the national incidence of severe neonatal jaundice. It aimed to determine the incidence of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in the United Kingdom and Ireland and identify clinical and demographic variables associated with severe neonatal jaundice. Lastly, it aimed to identify possible consequences of the occurrence of severe neonatal jaundice, such as the need for exchange transfusion, the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy, and associated morbidity and mortality.
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