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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Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase 1
This study aimed to identify all patients in the United Kingdom diagnosed during the period of the study and to provide data to inform decisions about whether to include Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in a neonatal screening programme. It was hoped that by increasing general awareness of the disorder, the management of individual patients and their families would benefit.
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Neonatal necrotising enterocolitis
This study was introduced to establish the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis and to determine whether the early diet can influence its onset and severity.
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Congenital syphilis 1
The BPSU survey of congenital syphilis began in July 1993. It aimed to undertake surveillance for congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. At the time of the survey, the only surveillance of congenital syphilis was through the genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, and it was unclear whether all affected children might be attending such facilities.
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Congenital dislocation of the hip
Paediatricians and orthopaedic surgeons reported the number of cases of congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) first treated with abduction splinting for each month from April to July 1993. The study aimed to; identify the number of infants (per 1000 live births) who receive treatment for CDH as a result of a positive screening test, identify the number of infants and young children (per 1000 total population) who undergo an operative procedure for CDH (in whom CDH were not detected by screening) and to identify the range and variability of existing screening practices for CDH in the UK.
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Biliary atresia
When this surveillance occurred, Biliary Atresia was an uncommon disease of infancy which was fatal if not treated. The aetiology and incidence of the condition in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland were unknown. The BPSU survey sought to answer: What was the national incidence of biliary atresia?, if there were any recognisable aetiological features, the current pattern of referral, and why is referral delayed and the outcome for affected children following modern management (and how many will eventually need liver transplants).
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Vitamin K deficiency bleeding 2
A second BPASU survey of vitamin K deficiency bleeding began in January 1993 to monitor the efficacy of current prophylaxis regimens. The study's objective was to re-evaluate the incidence and epidemiology of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
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Invasive haemophilus influenzae infection following HIB Immunisation
In September 1992, the BPSU included invasive H influenzae infection occurring after Hib immunisation in its reporting scheme. In 1995, surveillance also included cases occurring in unvaccinated children. The data collected allowed the estimation of vaccine effectiveness, in relation to both the pre-vaccine era and incidence of cases in the unvaccinated population. In the later years of the study, there was confidence that estimates of efficacy truly represented the effect of the primary infant series.
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Non-accidental poisoning/Munchausen syndrome by proxy
At the time of the study, there had not been an epidemiological survey of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, non-accidental poisoning or non-accidental suffocation. The BPSU study aimed to define both the incidence and epidemiology of Munchausen syndrome by proxy and identify its commonest forms.
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Juvenile dermatomyositis
The BPSU surveillance aimed to: estimate the incidence of juvenile dermatomyositis, investigate if there was clustering of cases in time and place, evaluate the presenting features, the delay between onset and diagnosis and document initial drug treatment. The BPSU survey enabled the estimation of the incidence of juvenile dermatomyositis in the United Kingdom for the first time. It also allowed a picture to emerge of the presentation and treatment of the disease.
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Long-term parenteral nutrition
To help quantify the need for support services for the home administration of parenteral nutrition, the research team looked into children receiving parenteral nutrition for a prolonged period in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
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Insulin-dependent diabetes in under-fives
To establish the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes diagnosed in children under 5 years of age in the British Isles during 1992, comparing the national and regional results with another 1988 national study, and estimating the 1992 study's level of case ascertainment.
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Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
The study aimed to establish epidemiological data in the absence of other data from the United Kingdom, improve awareness and diagnosis and advise on the management.
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