PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Khandaker, Gulam AU - Van Bang, Nguyen AU - Dũng, Trịnh Quang AU - Giang, Nguyen Thi Huong AU - Chau, Cao Minh AU - Van Anh, Nguyen Thi AU - Van Thuong, Nguyen AU - Badawi, Nadia AU - Elliott, Elizabeth J TI - Protocol for hospital based-surveillance of cerebral palsy (CP) in Hanoi using the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance mechanism (PAEDS-Vietnam): a study towards developing hospital-based disease surveillance in Vietnam AID - 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017742 DP - 2017 Nov 01 TA - BMJ Open PG - e017742 VI - 7 IP - 11 4099 - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/11/e017742.short 4100 - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/11/e017742.full SO - BMJ Open2017 Nov 01; 7 AB - Introduction The epidemiology, pathogenesis, management and outcomes of cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income and middle-income countries including Vietnam are unknown because of the lack of mechanisms for standardised collection of data. In this paper, we outline the protocol for developing a hospital-based surveillance system modelled on the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) system in Australia. Using PAEDS-Vietnam we will define the aetiology, motor function and its severity, associated impairments, and nutritional and rehabilitation status of children with CP in Hanoi, Vietnam. These essential baseline data will inform future health service planning, health professional education and training, and family support.Methods and analysis This is a hospital-based prospective surveillance of children with CP presenting to the rehabilitation, neurology and general paediatric services at the National Children’s Hospital and St Paul Hospital in Hanoi. We will use active, prospective daily case-finding for all children with CP aged <18 years who are hospitalised or present to outpatient departments. Following parental consent, data will be collected using a modified version of the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register questionnaire. The data collection form has been developed in consultation with local and international experts and translated into Vietnamese. Information collected will include demographics, maternal health and birth history, type and severity of CP, known risk factors for CP, and nutrition, immunisation, education and rehabilitation status.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Hanoi Medical University Institutional Review Board (decision no 1722) and The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (approval no 2016/456). Establishment of PAEDS-Vietnam will enable hospital-based surveillance of CP for the first time in Vietnam. It will identify preventable causes of CP, patient needs and service gaps, and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. Study findings will be disseminated through local and international conferences and peer-reviewed publications.