Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program
International Developments
An International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units (INoPSU) was established in 1998 to enhance collaboration between units from four continents, providing a unique opportunity for simultaneous cross-sectional studies of rare diseases in populations with diverse geographic and ethnic characteristics. The INoPSU First Progress Report 1999-2002 outlines the development of the international network from its inception, core surveillance activities, as well as the activities of its member units.
Financial support from Health Canada allowed the CPSP to invite INoPSU members to their first formal meeting in Ottawa in June 2000. INoPSU 2000 was an unqualified success in accomplishing many of INoPSU’s stated aims and benefits. Both the business meeting and the scientific symposium, held in conjunction with the Beyond 2000: Healthy Tomorrows for Children and Youth conference, provided a welcomed opportunity for sharing information on the various methodologies of surveillance, study results, the increased awareness of the value of surveillance while recognizing potential confidentiality issues.
A second successful INoPSU meeting was hosted by the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit in York, England, in April 2002, in conjunction with the College of Paediatrics and Child Health spring meeting, and a third one was hosted by the Portuguese Paediatric Surveillance Unit in 2004. The fourth INoPSU conference took place in London, England, hosted by the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit, in the spring of 2006. INoPSU was accepted for membership in the International Paediatric Association (IPA) at their September 2001 meeting in Beijing.
The following 13 national paediatric surveillance units are currently full members of INoPSU:
Joint collaborative studies, as listed in Studies under surveillance by national paediatric surveillance units, are seen as an important method of advancing the knowledge of uncommon childhood disorders around the world. There are definite challenges. However, having an opportunity to meet colleagues and discuss practicalities and difficulties provides the stimulus to forge ahead.
In February 2008, INoPSU published its first e-newsletter. The objectives of the newsletters are to highlight the work of the paediatric surveillance units and identify activities relating to rare diseases in children and youth.
The latest newsletter was published in
March 2011.
The International Developments section of the annual CPSP Results covers updates on the progress of our collaboration with INoPSU and highlights from international surveillance units.
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