Studies
This page includes both current and completed BPSU studies. You can browse studies by speciality, year or status using the filters below, and access study summaries, protocols, publications and patient information materials where available. Together, these studies provide an important evidence base for clinical practice, service development, public health policy and future research.
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Fatal/severe allergic reactions to food ingestion
This study took place from March 1998 to February 2000. It aimed to estimate the incidence of fatal and very severe allergic reactions to food in children. To describe the circumstances in which these reactions occurred and describe the clinical course and management of these cases. Additionally, the study wanted to determine whether such children had previous reactions and whether the severity of these previous reactions predicted later severe reactions.
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Congenital brachial palsy
This study provided an opportunity to gather population-based data about Congenital brachial palsy. It aimed to estimate the incidence of Congenital brachial palsy, study its aetiology and provide more information about the natural history of CBP in the first year of life. The study ran from March 1998 to March 1999, when the true incidence in the UK and the Republic of Ireland was unknown.
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Progressive Intellectual and Neurological Deterioration (PIND)
Surveillance of Progressive Intellectual and Neurological Deterioration (PIND) in Children (including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit began in May 1997 with the main aim of determining whether a child developed variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). As the clinical presentation of vCJD was not typical of classical CJD, the aim was to detect suspected cases by looking at a broader group of conditions.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
Surveillance of paediatric HCV infection in the UK and Eire: to estimate the prevalence and distribution of known paediatric HCV infection in the UK and Eire, to look at patterns of presentation according to mode of transmission (infected blood products/organ transplantation or mother to child); to describe the management by risk group; and to investigate the natural history of HCV infection in children with a known date of infection.
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Haemolytic uraemic syndrome 2
This study aimed to monitor trends in the aetiology of childhood HUS in the UK and to identify general outbreaks of infection. The main objectives of this study were to ensure that appropriate clinical specimens are collected for detailed microbiological analysis by designated reference laboratories. To collect standardised clinical and epidemiological data on all cases of childhood HUS presenting to nephrologists based in collaborating specialist paediatric units in the UK. Additionally, the team wished to develop and maintain a confidential database incorporating clinical, epidemiological and microbiological data collected from paediatric nephrology units and reference laboratories.
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Neonatal meningitis 1
This study aimed to determine the incidence, mortality, diagnostic procedures, principal infecting organisms and treatment of meningitis in the newborn period. It was hoped the study would revise knowledge of the disease, its diagnosis and treatment. The children identified by the study were examined at both five and nine years of age to determine long-term morbidity after modern treatment.
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Congenital cataract
This study aimed to estimate the birth prevalence of congenital and infantile cataract in the British Isles, determine the national and regional patterns of presentation and ophthalmic referral, and assess the aetiology in incident cases. Additionally, it aimed to determine the proportion attributable to preventable causes. The study also wished to determine the factors associated with good visual outcome.
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Cerebral oedema and death following diabetic ketoacidosis
This study aimed to ascertain all deaths attributable to OKA and all cases of cerebral oedema. Establish an independent national ascertainment procedure for the identification of cases of OKA in the childhood population. To estimate the absolute risk of cerebral oedema among children with OKA. To identify factors in the clinical presentation and subsequent clinical course of the child with OKA, which may influence the development of cerebral oedema. To study the outcome of cerebral oedema in Britain in terms of mortality and morbidity.
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Pyridoxine dependent seizures
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of definite or possible pyridoxine-dependent seizures in children under 16 years of age. Prospectively study the incidence in children under five years of age and define the clinical presentation, natural history, and clinical management of pyridoxine dependency.
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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis 2
The surveillance of SSPE started in September 1995, for the second time. Its main aim was to monitor the incidence of SSPE. At the time of this study, the number of cases since 1982 had fallen, which followed approximately ten years after the decline in measles due to the introduction of the vaccine. However, under-reporting may have been an issue. As the incidence appeared to fall, the importance of complete notification increased.
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Transient and permanent neonatal diabetes
This study aimed to establish incidence rates for both the transient and permanent forms of neonatal diabetes (information which was not available from the literature). It was hoped that the data would allow comparisons between the clinical, physiological and genetic characteristics of the children presenting with these two conditions. This unique cohort of cases would allow evaluation of the influence of neonatal pancreatic islet cell dysfunction on later physical and endocrine development.
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Adverse neonatal outcomes of delivery or labour in water
The study aimed to a) estimate the incidence of adverse neonatal outcome in babies delivered in water, b) identify babies who are admitted to special care or die, following labour in water, to examine whether there was evidence that the use of water during labour was associated with adverse outcomes.
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