Ascertainment of early onset eating disorders: a pilot for developing a national child psychiatric surveillance system

R M Lynn; R M Viner; D E Nicholls

doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00613.x

Ascertainment of early onset eating disorders: a pilot for developing a national child psychiatric surveillance system

Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2012 May;17(2):109-112. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00613.x. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Authors

R M Lynn^{1

2}, R M Viner², D E Nicholls³

Affiliations

¹ British Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 5-11 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SH, UK. E-mail: Richard.lynn@rcpch.ac.uk.
² UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
³ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.

PMID: 32847292
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00613.x

Abstract

Background: A Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Surveillance System was established as part of a British Paediatric Surveillance Unit study of early onset eating disorders (EOED).

Method: A study of EOED presenting to paediatricians was undertaken through the BPSU over 15 months in 2005-06.

Results: Monthly report cards compliance was 83%, identifying 208 EOED cases. On evaluation, 99% of psychiatrists responding supported the need for surveillance and 95% would continue to contribute.

Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that a monthly surveillance of rare conditions in child and adolescent psychiatry is feasible and enhances ascertainment.

Keywords: Surveillance; children; early onset eating disorder; rare.