Impacts of national surveillance for uncommon conditions in childhood

  1. Yvonne A Zurynski1,2,*,
  2. Elizabeth Peadon1,2,
  3. Carol Bower3,
  4. Elizabeth J Elliott1,2

Article first published online: 4 OCT 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01216.x

Issue

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Volume 43, Issue 11, pages 724–731, November 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Zurynski, Y. A., Peadon, E., Bower, C. and Elliott, E. J. (2007), Impacts of national surveillance for uncommon conditions in childhood. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43: 724–731. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01216.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead,

  2. 2

    Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,

  3. 3

    Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Telethon Institute of Child Health Research, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia

*Dr Yvonne Zurynski, Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Fax: +61 2 9845 3082; email: yvonnez@chw.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 OCT 2007
  2. Article first published online: 4 OCT 2007
  3. Accepted for publication 25 June 2007.

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Keywords:

  • child;
  • public health;
  • rare disease;
  • surveillance

Abstract:  The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) facilitates the conduct of national collaborative research that is consistent with national health priorities, has potential to impact on public health, and addresses gaps in knowledge. Since 1993 paediatricians and other child health specialists have contributed monthly data on rare childhood conditions to the APSU. Over 40 conditions, including infectious diseases, injuries, vaccine-preventable diseases and genetic disorders have been studied. Information on epidemiology, frequency, diagnosis, management and short-term outcomes of these conditions is collected and provides evidence to support changes to clinical practice, prevention policy and allocation of health resources. In this review we give examples of the value of information gathered through the APSU surveillance system in the last 14 years.

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