Chapter 3: Approaches to Surveillance

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Table of Contents

  1. ›Chapter 3: Approaches to Surveillance
  2. 3.1 Population Coverage
  3. 3.2 Case Ascertainment
  4. 3.3 Case Finding
  5. 3.4 Case Inclusion
  6. 3.5 Description Formats for Congenital Anomalies
  7. 3.6 Age of Inclusion
  8. 3.7 Inclusion of Pregnancy Outcomes
  9. 3.8 Coding System
  10. 3.9 Potential Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
  11. 3.10 Core Ascertainment Variables
  12. 3.11 Data-Collection Methods and Tools
  13. 3.12 Data Management and Protocols
  14. 3.13 Data Collection and Management
Related Pages
Summary

Chapter 3 describes some of the different methodological approaches used in the surveillance of congenital anomalies. Once the purposes of surveillance for a congenital anomalies programme have been established, the next steps are to:

  • Define the population under surveillance – population-based or hospital-based
  • Identify the area of surveillance, such as the geographical area of coverage
  • Determine approaches for identifying cases using case ascertainment methods, single or multiple data sources, and inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Choose the core demographic or clinical variables for identifying cases based on the goals and objectives of the surveillance program
  • Select formats for documenting case descriptions on forms and within the coding system
  • Plan and implement data collection and management methods (e.g., using a protocol) to promote the gathering of accurate, high quality data
  • Analyse, interpret, and disseminate data using correct and systematic methods.
Highlights

Watch videos on birth defects surveillance for population-based and hospital-based programmes.