We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
National surveillance of severe microcephaly in Australia.
- Authors
Nunez, Carlos; Morris, Anne; Elliott, Elizabeth J.
- Abstract
Abbreviations APSU Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit CNS central nervous system INOPSU International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units OFC occipitofrontal circumference SD standard deviation Microcephaly is a rare condition usually manifested during fetal development or infancy.[1] It became a public health concern in 2016, following an outbreak of Zika virus infection associated with microcephaly in the Americas.[2] In response to the international emergency declared by the World Health Organization, some members of the International Network of Paediatric Surveillance Units (INOPSU), including Canada, the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand, initiated surveillance for severe microcephaly, defined as an occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) >=3 standard deviations (SDs) below the mean for age and sex.[[1], [3]] Given the paucity of epidemiological information on this condition in Australia, the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) undertook surveillance for microcephaly using a similar surveillance method, but using a cut-off for microcephaly at an OFC of >=2 SDs below the mean. We acknowledge the sustained contribution of all Australian Paediatricians and other child health professionals who participated in the surveillance studies conducted by the APSU and give particular thanks to those who reported cases of microcephaly. Primary microcephaly was defined as microcephaly present at birth whereas secondary microcephaly was defined as a normal OFC at birth with a postnatal OFC measurement of >=3 SDs below the mean.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIA; MICROCEPHALY; ZIKA virus infections; EPILEPSY; CENTRAL nervous system injuries; CONGENITAL disorders; MEDICAL personnel
- Publication
Acta Paediatrica, 2023, Vol 112, Issue 8, p1734
- ISSN
0803-5253
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/apa.16846