Photo Acknowledgement: Farrah Rodrigues

Lab & Newborn Screening Subcommittee

Committee Members

2023 – 2024

  • Mary Abraham (WA)
  • Natasha Heather  (NZ) (CO-CHAIR)
  • Tony Huynh (QLD) (CO-CHAIR)
  • Michele Jack (NSW)
  • Ann Maguire (NSW)
  • Michele O’Connell (VIC)
  • Elaine Sanderson (WA)

SCIENTISTS

  • Mark de Hora (NZ)
  • Ronda Greaves (VIC)
  • Carol Siu (SA)
  • Tiffany Wotton (NSW)

HDET-Paeds Harmonisation Project 2023-2024

The Harmonisation of Dynamic Endocrine Testing in Paediatrics (HDET-Paeds) protocols are an extension of the protocols for adults (HDETA) which were recently finalised and endorsed by the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB), the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), and the Endocrine Society of Australasia (ESA). Both projects were established by the AACB.

The HEDT-Paeds have been developed under the stewardship of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes (ANZSPED) Laboratory and Newborn Screening Subcommittee. Members of this subcommittee have affiliations with one or more of the following professional societies – ANZSPED, AACB, and RCPA.

The intent of the HDET-Paeds project is to develop a set of harmonised protocols which can be used by paediatric centres and laboratories across Australia and New Zealand, recognising there will be some challenges such as availability of drug formulations, and assay differences.

CLICK HERE for the Draft HDET-Paeds Protocol.

CLICK HERE for template for feedback (Word document).

Deadline for feedback:  31 January 2024

Expected finalisation of document: June 2024.


About the Committee

The working group began in 2017 with the aim to provide expert advice to, and representation for, the members of ANZSPED on issues related to Laboratory Medicine as it relates to the field of Paediatric Endocrinology.  The Working group evolved into an ANZSPED Subcommittee at the start of 2020 and formalised its membership.

Terms of Reference

The principal goals of the Subcommittee are to (1) more closely align, and where possible, harmonise the laboratory investigation of paediatric endocrine conditions, and (2)

advocate for and enhance the representation of paediatric endocrinology within the field of Laboratory Medicine.

The specific roles of members are to:

  1. within ANZSPED, develop national guidelines and protocols related to the laboratory investigation of children with endocrine conditions with a particular focus on the appropriate clinical utilisation and analytical aspects of assays, tests, and protocols
  2. represent ANZSPED in collaborations with other professional organisations in projects aimed at developing and implementing guidelines and protocols to standardise or harmonise laboratory methods as they relate to paediatric endocrinology
  3. through individual subcommittee members working with their local laboratories, to ensure the total testing process including pre-analytical considerations, appropriate test utilisation, laboratory assay fitness-for-purpose, the development of appropriate reference intervals, and the correct interpretation, reporting, and notification of results – meet necessary standards to enable the accurate diagnosis of children with endocrine conditions.
  4. provide advice to ANZSPED members related to the analytical aspects of specific methods in the laboratory investigation of children with endocrine conditions
  5. promote and facilitate the practical exposure and experience of trainees in paediatric endocrinology to the clinical laboratory

How to join the committee

ANZSPED will send a call for EOI to all ANZSPED members every 2nd year (in even numbered years).  This email goes out to all members shortly after the AGM is held.

Please refer to the subcommittee guidelines (under ‘Subcommittee’ tab heading once logged in as a member) for terms of service and other expectations for being part of an ANZSPED working group.