Medical and public health impacts

One of the most important successes of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) is that the Program created a Canadian network of collaborative epidemiological research that includes paediatricians and paediatric subspecialists from across Canada.

Numerous CPSP studies and one-time surveys have led to important medical and public health actions throughout the years. Some of these impacts include the following:

  • Since its launch in 1996, active surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis demonstrates Canada’s polio-free status remains intact.
  • The international comparison of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn among five national paediatric surveillance units illustrated the importance of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis.
  • The severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia study confirmed many cases in term newborns and contributed to revised Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) guidelines on the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
  • The international adoption survey found that knowledge about screening methods varied significantly with important gaps for tuberculosis and hepatitis B.
  • The medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency study documented the efficacy of newborn metabolic screening programs in detecting asymptomatic cases and allowing for early preventive measures (the two reported deaths during the course of the study did not occur in jurisdictions with screening programs).
  • The vitamin D deficiency rickets study confirmed the importance of reinforcing the current CPS recommendation that exclusively breast-fed infants and children receive vitamin D supplementation.
  • The lap-belt syndrome study led to changes in legislative measures regarding the need for longer use of booster seats for children.
  • The wheeled baby walker survey contributed to the total ban on their sale, import, and advertisement in Canada.
  • Two studies on non-type 1 diabetes mellitus (2006–2008 and 2017–2019) supported CPS and Public Health Agency of Canada efforts to promote healthy active living.
  • Results of the non-medical (recreational) cannabis use study informed the CPS’s submission to the legislative review of the Cannabis Act. Recommendations from the review in 2024 included the need for child-resistant cannabis packaging as well as public health messaging on safe cannabis storage and the risks to children from accidental exposure.
  • The data collected through the congenital syphilis study contributed to the revised CPS Position Statement released in March 2024.

Click here to learn more about the impact CPSP results have had over the years.