British Paediatric Surveillance Unit

The BPSU is a world leading centre for rare paediatric disease surveillance. It enables doctors and researchers to investigate how many children in the UK and Republic of Ireland are affected by particular rare diseases, conditions or treatments each year.

Apply to the BPSU

We welcome applications from clinicians and researchers who wish to carry out national surveillance on rare childhood diseases.
Apply to the BPSU
Going from start to finish icon - for guideline

Impact of BPSU

SInce 1985 we have facilitated research on over 100 rare conditions, and have immensely influenced decisions about these diseases and the impact on patients.
About our impact

Get eReporting cards

If you are a consultant paediatrician or SAS doctor with your own case load working in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and do not already receive the BPSU eReporting cards, please complete our form.
Sign up

Studies currently on the eReporting card ('orange card')

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Button battery ingestion, inhalation or insertion
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis/chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (…
Congenital rubella
Conservative care in end-stage kidney disease
Glucocorticoid induced adrenal suppression
Herpes simplex virus
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome
Neonatal complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Outcome of resuscitated term babies with no heart rate detected at 10 minutes o…
PIND (Progressive Intellectual and Neurological Deterioration)
Pneumococcal meningitis
This month's reporting instructions for these studies
Search all BPSU current studies

Our latest annual report

The BPSU 2020-21 annual report explains how the orange eCard surveillance system works, has a yearly review of activities from the BPSU chair and includes updates on current BPSU studies - and much more.

All BPSU annual reports

BPSU-PHE Symposia series: COVID-19 from a paediatric perspective

More than 2,000 people joined one or both of these free events in late April 2021. Discussions covered the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy, neonates and general paediatric populations and the rare syndrome, PIMS, as well as the wider impact of the pandemic on child health. If you missed the opportunity to join us you can watch the video recordings below.

Watch the recordings of the event

Other BPSU content

Past studies
Patient and public involvement
Research using health records
Bulletins
Rare disease tea party - reports from past events
Governance Board
Scientific Committee
BPSU Sir Peter Tizard research bursary
Surveillance of HIV infection and vertical HIV exposure
Other research activities at RCPCH

Research news from the College

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