Self-assessment
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 18, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: James Quigley, Peter Heinz Tags: Self-assessment Source Type: research
Toxic shock syndrome: diagnosis and management
Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a type of shock that is mediated by superantigens. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of this disease is important because the clinical course is fulminant and the outcome depends on the prompt institution of therapy. Management of a child with TSS includes hemodynamic stabilization and appropriate antimicrobial therapy to eradicate the bacteria. The use of immunoglobulin is advised to block the superantigens. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 15, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Catarina Silvestre, Harish Vyas Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Abnormalities of the spleen: a systematic approach to a child with enlarged spleen and splenic dysfunction
The spleen is a diverse organ which is involved in a number of important functions such as haematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity. A number of different conditions in childhood can lead to an enlarged or dysfunctional spleen. A systematic approach for investigating and identifying the underlying cause is outlined in this short article. The aim is to facilitate the diagnostic process and improve outcomes for children with enlarged spleen and/or splenic dysfunction. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 12, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Eleni Louka, Georgina W. Hall Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
A practical guide to using biologics in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the commonest cause of arthritis in children. It has an autoimmune aetiology. The management of JIA in the last century was heavily based on the use of steroids and a handful of other disease modifying drugs. These had predictable and dose-dependent side effects and were only partially effective. This led to frequent inadequate control of inflammation, in turn leading to joint damage. Side effects included infections and growth retardation. The advent of a new class of synthetic, targeted therapeutic agents called biologic agents, has transformed the landscape in the management of JIA...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 11, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Kishore C. Warrier Tags: Personal practice Source Type: research
Preventing human papilloma virus infection: another vaccination success
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the commonest sexually transmitted infection. It has over 200 genotypes which, depending on the site of infection and type of virus, can give rise to cancers or warts. HPV infection is a prerequisite for cervical cancer and is associated to varying degrees with other anogenital cancers and, increasingly, with cancers of the oropharynx. It is also associated with anogenital warts which, while not life threatening, cause considerable morbidity. HPV vaccines have been available since 2006 and by mid-2021 have been introduced into over 110 countries. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 7, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: David A.C. Elliman, Helen E. Bedford Tags: Symposium: immunity and infection Source Type: research
Neuroblastoma: a master of disguise and a challenge to cure
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest childhood cancers and typically affects very young children. It is characterized by a very broad spectrum of clinical presentation and outcome, driven by the biology of the tumour. This ranges from ‘low risk’ tumours, most commonly found in infants, which may spontaneously regress and have an excellent prognosis with minimal or no treatment, to ‘high risk’ disease, which carries a poor prognosis despite intensive multi-modal treatment. Although particular presentations may be associate d with favourable or unfavourable outcome, the clinical features may mask the underlying biol...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 6, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Debora Calderoni, Giuseppe Barone, Martin Elliott, Deborah A. Tweddle, Ramya Ramanujachar, Juliet C. Gray Tags: Symposium: Oncology Source Type: research
Treatment and prevention of malaria in children
Malaria is a tropical disease. However, due to travel, cases can be imported into countries with temperate climates. For instance there are 1300 –1800 cases imported into the UK each year. Three-quarters of reported malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which is capable of causing severe or life-threatening disease. Roughly 10% of cases occur in children. Malaria in children often presents with misleading symptoms and the pres entation of malaria can be delayed for many months. Therefore a travel history is important in all children presenting with fever. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 6, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ashwin Pandey, Delane Shingadia Tags: Symposium: immunity and infection Source Type: research
Corrigendum to “Extreme/‘pathological’ demand avoidance: an overview” [Paediatr Child Health 30(12) (2020) 411–415]
The following Conflict of interest statement relates to the above article. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 1, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Elizabeth O'Nions, Judith Eaton Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - April 1, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Investigating suspected immune deficiency in children
The International Union of Immunological Societies now recognizes over 430 single gene inborn errors of immunity, making the investigation of suspected immunodeficiency in children increasingly complex. The use of immunomodulatory therapies, including biologics, may also cause both transient and permanent secondary immunodeficiency. This review outlines a practical approach to guide paediatric doctors and allied health professionals investigating children with suspected immune deficiency, starting with a detailed clinical assessment of history and examination, as well as baseline investigations to exclude secondary immunod...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 31, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Paul Torpiano, Matthew Buckland, Kimberly Gilmour Tags: Symposium: immunity and infection Source Type: research
Paediatric cancer predisposition syndromes in the genomic age
Cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) are heritable conditions that confer an increased risk of one or more types of cancer. They most often arise due to germline mutations in tumour suppressor genes. Genomic sequencing studies have found that around 10% of paediatric oncology patients have an underlying CPS. Li Fraumeni syndrome is a classic example of such a condition; affected individuals are at increased risk of developing a wide range of cancers throughout life. Diagnosis of a CPS has wide-ranging implications for patients and their families. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 22, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Lucy Hanington, Lisa Walker, Shaun Wilson Tags: Symposium: oncology Source Type: research
The hip in cerebral palsy
Hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex problem and requires a multidisciplinary team approach. It is the most common orthopaedic problem in the non-ambulatory group of children and causes significant pain, which can be prevented or treated with appropriate management. Hip subluxation occurs due to asymmetrical muscle imbalance in the context of abnormal proximal femoral morphology. Work from CP registries has shown strong correlation between Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level and rate of hip displacement. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 21, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: James Widnall, Roger Walton Tags: Children ’s orthopaedics Source Type: research
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of current concepts
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a common condition which is routinely seen in the outpatient department, with a prevalence of 5% in general population. It is important to be able to make this diagnosis but more importantly exclude other causes of scoliosis by carrying out a thorough history and examination. This paper will cover the pathophysiology, presentation, examination, and surgical management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 21, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Mohamed Mohamed, Jayesh Trivedi, Neil Davidson, Sudarshan Munigangaiah Tags: Children ’s orthopaedics Source Type: research
Radial longitudinal deficiencies in children
Radial longitudinal deficiencies pose a unique challenge in children ’s orthopaedic surgery: a deformity at birth that can be the only visible sign of serious underlying health conditions. Treatment can be intensive and prolonged but children often cope extremely well with compensations for reduced upper limb function. The aim of this article is to describe essenti al knowledge of the condition, its associations and treatments. We provide a clinical and diagnostic framework to enable appropriate and timely investigations, management and referral where appropriate. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 21, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Christopher P. Prior, Nicholas D. Peterson Tags: Children ’s orthopaedics Source Type: research
Management of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy
This article discusses key principles and strategies for assessment and management of these patients. The main aims of treatment are to improve function, appearance and facilitate caring. Key decision-making factors are the patient ’s age (with anti-spasticity procedures being preferred in the younger and rebalancing and stabilizations in older patients), degree of spasticity (pure spasticity being treated with neurectomies and contractures with surgical releases) and degree of voluntary control (high voluntary control doing better with rebalancing procedures and stabilizations doing better in those with little voluntary...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - March 21, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Sara L. Dorman, Matthew Nixon Tags: Children ’s orthopaedics Source Type: research
