WellChild Research Projects

National surveillance of sexually transmitted infections in children under 13 years of age presenting to secondary care

Researcher: Dr Richard Reading, Consultant paediatrician and honorary reader in child health, Jenny Lind Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Grant award sum: £46,800

Duration: September 1st 2009 - March 31st 2012

Synopsis: Finding a sexually transmitted infection in young children is uncommon and raises the possibility of sexual abuse. But there are many unanswered questions such as whether these infections can be caught in other ways, for example during birth. A surveillance study covering Britain and Ireland will identify all new cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomonas in children under 13 years of age. The researchers hope to answer the following questions:

• How common are these four infections in children aged one year to 12 years?

• What associated features are there which might increase the chance of infection (for example, problems in the immune system)?

• Are there features which might indicate child sexual abuse?