Variables for Collection and Analysis

The data elements that are collected as part of surveillance for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) can vary depending on the resources and goals of the jurisdiction conducting surveillance. Since 2019 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been funding pilot sites to conduct NAS surveillance and works with sites to collect, transmit, and analyze these surveillance data. As part of this initial pilot project enhanced variables are collected that capture more information than what is necessary for case classification according to the CSTE position statement.

In order to assist jurisdictions in planning what variables to consider for collection during NAS surveillance, an Excel table of potential variables for collection has been created. This list builds on the list of variables sent to CDC by pilot jurisdictions and includes protected health information that would be necessary at the jurisdictional level as well as supplementary variables collected within some jurisdictions currently for internal analysis purposes. While individual variables requested by CDC may be updated in potential future data exchange opportunities, it may be of interest for a jurisdiction to consider the format currently used in this data dictionary for data collection and storage if it is desired to support the possibility of future interoperability and standardization across jurisdictions.

This document contains six tabs:

Workbook Description

Describes the purpose of the workbook, each tab, and the columns on each tab.

Tier1_Cases

Data elements that may be useful to collect on cases when conducting Tier 1 surveillance.

Tier1_ITox

If collecting more detailed information about infant toxicology tests, suggested additional variables that can be collected for each test result.

Tier1_MTox

If collecting more detailed information about birthing parent toxicology tests, suggested additional variables that can be collected for each test result.

Tier2_Cases

Data elements that may be useful to collect on cases when conducting Tier 2 surveillance.

Denominator

Suggested summary data to be collected from vital records to use as a denominator for calculating rates for case data.

Surveillance Variables For implementation

The Workbook Description tab contains a description of each column within the tabs. Of note is the column “Application within Surveillance”. Filtering this column to solely “Case Classification” will show the minimum variables needed to be able to identify if a case meets the confirmed or suspect definitions within the CSTE position statement. Filtering to additional values in “Application for Surveillance” will allow jurisdictions to assess supplementary variables that may be useful dependent upon jurisdictional resources, interagency relationships, or desired epidemiological analysis.