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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Invasive fungal infections in very low birthweight infants
Given the high mortality and the difficulty in establishing an early diagnosis, there was a need to assess the effect of strategies to prevent invasive fungal infection in very low-birth-weight infants(VLBW). The evaluation of such measures would be assisted by the availability of national epidemiological data in an unselected population of VLBW infants. The study aims to determine the incidence of invasive fungal infection in VLBW infants and describe the patterns and clinical spectrum of presentation. Additionally, to determine which fungi were responsible, elicit treatment strategies and describe clinical outcomes at 37 weeks post-gestational age.
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Vitamin K deficiency bleeding 3
The third BPSU study on Vitamin K deficiency bleeding ran from January 2001 to January 2003. The study intended to investigate the impact of changes in vitamin K prophylaxis regimens and the introduction of vitamin K MM on the prevalence of VKDB. Whether failures to achieve the planned prophylaxis regimen remained a major cause of morbidity, and if newer regimens and preparations reduce the risk of VKDB when there was co-existing liver disease. It also investigated the reasons for vitamin K not being given and whether there were delays in presentation.
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Severe complications of varicella (chickenpox) in hospitalised children
When this study started surveillance, there was little data on complicated varicella cases in the UK. Analysis of routine hospital discharge records, but did not provide data with sufficient detail or accuracy. There was no routine childhood immunisation programme against varicella in the UK or Ireland. Data from the study on severe complications of varicella would have made a valuable contribution to the epidemiological and economic data available. It would also assist in determining the advisability of a universal or selective immunisation. The data would additionally provide a baseline for a vaccination programme for its evaluation.
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Congenital Toxoplasmosis 2
The primary aim of the study was to determine the birth prevalence of symptomatic congenital toxoplasmosis to inform decisions about neonatal screening for congenital toxoplasmosis. Additionally, it aimed to determine the severity of clinical manifestations and age at first diagnosis in children with symptomatic toxoplasmosis according to whether infection was likely to be congenital or acquired postnatally. It also aimed to describe the management of children with suspected symptomatic congenital toxoplasmosis in the British Isles and determine the feasibility of testing for specific IgM/IgA antibodies using stored Guthrie card blood samples in children with suspected congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Suspected fatal adverse drug reaction in children
This prospective study ( June 2002 to June 2003) intended to document whether fatal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were a problem in children in the UK. At the time of this study, it was possible that there may have been under-reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children. Medicines in children were frequently prescribed “off-label” and therefore had not been formally evaluated for safety and efficacy in that age group. It was hoped that this prospective study would, for the first time, allow the documentation of whether fatal adverse drug reactions were a significant problem in children.
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Internal abdominal injury due to child abuse
This two-year study of internal abdominal injury due to child abuse was undertaken from March 2001 to March 2003. There were several important questions it considered: how common is this condition in the UK? How do children present, and what is their eventual clinical outcome? What associated signs or injuries should be looked for in addition? Is there a pattern of injury that is more likely to indicate a non-accidental rather than an accidental cause? Are there any pointers to prevention?
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Thrombosis in childhood
At the time of this surveillance study, symptomatic thrombotic events (venous and arterial) were rare in childhood, particularly after the neonatal period, and the incidence in the United Kingdom was unknown. The study objectives were as follows: to determine the incidence and epidemiology of thrombosis in children aged between 1 month and 16 years in the UK, determine which risk factors predispose to thrombosis in childhood, and in particular, the role of thrombophilia, both inherited and acquired, determine diagnostic and therapeutic practices for childhood thrombosis and assess whether sufficient information was available on which to develop management guidelines.
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Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) 1
This study investigated clinically recognised, confirmed and suspected congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. It aimed to ascertain the population prevalence of cCMV disease, management strategies, and clinical disease outcome. A further objective was the feasibility of using routinely collected neonatal dried blood spots to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of cCMV infection in infants who present after 3 weeks of age.
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Cerebrovascular disease, Stroke and Stroke like illness
At the time of this study, in the United Kingdom, the actual number of children affected annually by stroke remained unknown. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of stroke, stroke-like illness and cerebrovascular disease in all children between birth and 16 years and to determine the national and regional patterns of presentation and of neurological referral. Additionally, the study assessed the aetiology considered at diagnosis in incident cases and describe practices regarding management, investigation and prevention of recurrence.
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Group B streptococcal disease 1
At the time of surveillance, Group B Streptococcal disease was the most common cause of severe, early-onset neonatal disease (EOGBSD) and an important cause of late-onset neonatal disease. Administering antibiotics could prevent EOGBSD. There was concern that there were no national policies for use in the UK/ROI. These policies needed to be evidence-based, and there was no data on the incidence and risk factors for disease in UK/ROI infants. The aim of this project is to describe the burden of invasive GBS disease in infants <90 days of age in the UK and ROI.
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Severe visual impairment/blindness 1
This surveillance study ran from September 1999 to December 2000. At the time of this surveillance study, there was no reliable routine source of national information about severely visually impaired or blind children, and there had been no recent national study of affected children. This national study would provide information (not previously available) on the burden and impact of severe visual impairment and blindness in childhood.
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Encephalitis in early childhood (2 months – 3 years)
This study was undertaken from October 1998 to September 2001. Encephalopathy in early childhood made a substantial contribution to chronic neurological disability, and the impact on individual families, frequently exacerbated by diagnostic uncertainty, may be devastating. At the time of surveillance, the causes were largely unknown. This study wanted to determine the aetiology of encephalitis in children from 2 months old to their third birthday, and in particular, the role of infection with HHV-6 and HHV-7.
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