 Countries:
Australia
Name
Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU)
Website
More information is available on the APSU website at www.apsu.org.au
Year established
May 1992 (Surveillance commenced May 1993)
Association
Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Division of Paediatrics
Population under 15 years
3.98 million
General information
The APSU commenced surveillance in May 1993 and currently surveys approximately
1000 clinicians in child health on a monthly basis, covering a child
population of 3.9 million.
The overall response rate was 89% in 2006. APSU introduced email reporting
in 1997 and currently 62% of clinicians have elected to use this service.
An evaluation of the APSU indicated that paediatricians perceive the
APSU to be educationally useful particularly in the provision of diagnostic
criteria for conditions studied. It was perceived to be a simple and
flexible scheme and acceptable in terms of workload. APSU was found to
fulfil most of its objectives and meets CDC criteria in this respect.
Studies through the APSU have given rise to more than 108 publications
including peer-reviewed articles, research reports and published abstracts
and a wide range of presentations (102) that have informed the general
public and the wider medical community. The APSU's most recent publication, "The
Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit Progress report" which is
currently in press in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, provides
a surveillance overview of the APSU and discusses study results to date.
APSU collaborates closely with the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance
Unit, sharing study protocols as well as having representation on each
other's scientific panels.
Conditions studied
It has been a busy year with 5 new studies commencing. Three studies of varicella infection – neonatal varicella; congenital varicella; and the severe complications of varicella, coincided with the inclusion of varicella vaccination on the National Immunisation Program in Australia.
The study of severe seatbelt injuries commenced in January 2006 and will provide an opportunity to compare results with a similar study which was conducted by the Canadian Paediatrics Surveillance Program.
Preliminary results from the Vitamin D Deficiency Rickets study suggest that this condition is more common in Australia than previously thought, and predominantly affects the migrant community.
Publications
The Unit has been very productive with 24 journal articles related to APSU studies published. APSU studies, particularly prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome and seatbelt safety for children aged less than 12 years, have also been featured in the media in 2006-7.
Further details may be viewed at www.apsu.org.au, publications section.
Conditions under surveillance include:
acute flaccid paralysis,
congenital cytomegalovirus infection, congenital rubella,
hepatitis c virus, HIV/AIDS, neonatal HSV,non tuberculosis mycobacterial infection, neonatal group b streptococus sepsis, Rettt syndrome, hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, serious seatbelt injuryies, neonatal varicella, congenital varicella, severe complications of varicella infection, vitamin D deficiency rickets and
vitamin K deficiency bleeding .
Contact
A/Prof Elizabeth Elliott (Director). Dr Greta Ridley (Assistant Director),
Dr Anne Morris (Assistant Director), Ms Diane Redmond (Research Assistant),
and Ms Jennifer Fowler (Administrator)
APSU
Level 2, Research Building
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Locked Bag 4001
Westmead NSW 2145
Australia
Tel: 612-9845-3005 / 1202 Fax: 612-9845-3082
Email: apsu@chw.ed.au
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