|
|
Purpose
The Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) is intended to
provide a framework for tabulating and interpreting state-specific
information on the nutritional characteristics of low-income children.
These data are useful to both health professionals who manage public
health programs and those who are involved in the direct care of
low-income children. The data can be used to --
- Identify prevalent nutrition-related problems;
- Identify high risk groups;
- Monitor trends;
- Target resources for program planning; and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Description
PedNSS is designed as a program-based surveillance system. It uses
already available data collected from health, nutrition, and food
assistance programs for infants and children, such as the Women, Infants,
and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC); Early Periodic Screening,
Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT); and clinics funded by Maternal and Child
Health Program (MCH) Block Grants. Data are collected on socio-demographic
variables (ethnicity/race, age, geographic location), birth weight,
anthropometric indices (height/length, weight), iron status (hemoglobin
and/or hematocrit), and breastfeeding.
State health departments that choose to participate in the PedNSS
submit data to CDC on a monthly basis. Data are sent to CDC on computer
tapes or disks. Monthly reports listing children at high nutritional risk
and reported errors are sent back to surveillance participants. These data
are analyzed semi-annually and annually and summaries are returned for use
in program planning, management, and evaluation of state and local
maternal and child health programs and activities. Data analysis occurs at
both CDC and the state level. CDC provides assistance to the participants
on using and interpreting their data. CDC encourages the PedNSS
participants to distribute appropriate sections of the summaries to
individual counties, clinics, and programs.
Progress/Results
The initial purpose of the PedNSS was to monitor growth, iron status,
and breastfeeding. The system has expanded from five states in 1973 to
39 states and territories, 6 tribal governments, and the District of
Columbia in 2002.
Future PedNSS developments will continue to increase state capacity for
nutrition surveillance. Efforts are being made to include more children
who participate in programs other than the Special Supplemental Food
Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In addition, CDC is
developing statistical tools to monitor and improve data quality. CDC will
continue to be the focal point for technical assistance, consultation, and
training to states, for the collection, processing, analysis,
interpretation, and the use of PedNSS data.
Report in Portable Document Format (PDF)
Related Information
*This document is available in Portable Document
Format (PDF). You will need Acrobat
Reader (a free application) to view and print this document.
|
|