Editorial Board
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 1, 2024 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Nutritional management of children and infants with cancer
Children receiving cancer therapy have particular dietary needs. Most have issues with eating. The combination of extended duration of treatment, high frequency admissions and prolonged length of stay impacts more on this group of children than most others. With advancements in more effective diagnosis and tailored multimodal therapy more children than ever are being treated with increasingly intense therapeutic regimens. Hence, more children are also surviving new second and third line treatments for relapsed disease. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 20, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Karen Jepson Tags: Symposium: oncology Source Type: research
Withholding and withdrawing treatment in paediatric intensive care
Making decisions to withhold or withdraw treatment in the paediatric intensive care setting can be complex, emotive and morally challenging. The process draws on the expertise and experience of both the families and the medical teams, their understanding of the needs and (where possible) choices of the child, and a balance of trust between all parties to want to achieve the right outcome. It is important that all healthcare professionals caring for children, particularly those living with potentially life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, are aware of the processes involved so they can support patients and families ...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 18, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Anna Chadwick, Finella Craig Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Self-assessment: a day in the paediatric emergency department
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 16, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Yoxin Chin, Alex Christmas, Deborah Gilliland, Natalie Bee Tags: Self-assessment Source Type: research
Understanding recent advances in genomic testing in paediatric oncology
Advancements in genomics have had a significant impact on our ability to diagnose and treat several health conditions, notably cancer. In this article, we discuss the evolution of genomic methods from the early first-generation genome sequencing methods such as Sanger sequencing to the latest technology. We also discuss how clinicians can decide which test to use depending on what type of result is required. We discuss the clinical significance of genomic testing including identification of cancer predispositions syndromes, the role of genomics in accurately diagnosing a number of cancers, as well as the utility of genomic...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 13, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Serena L. Robinson, Nicola Seneviratne, Madhumita Dandapani Tags: Symposium: oncology Source Type: research
A practical approach to the assessment of the external genitalia in boys
Male infants and children are frequently referred with parental or health care provider concerns about small penis size. A micropenis is defined as stretched penile length less than 2.5 standard deviations of the mean for age. The term ‘inconspicuous penis’ has been used to describe a group of conditions that result in the penis appearing abnormally small. These conditions include: congenital megaprepuce, trapped penis (secondary to scarring following surgery, most commonly post circumcision), concealed penis (due to enlarged suprapubic fat pad) and webbed penis. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 9, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Helen Buschel, Daniel Carroll Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Is this normal, doctor? Ten normal variants in infancy
Recognizing what is normal constitutes a key skill for medical practitioners, especially paediatricians. It is a necessary requisite to providing reassurance and avoiding unnecessary referrals, investigations and treatment. Normal variants are atypical or uncommon findings in a given population which are of no clinical or pathological significance yet fall within the spectrum of what is considered the normal range. The list of conditions discussed in this article is by no means complete or comprehensive but merely a reflection of frequently encountered issues in primary care, paediatric outpatients and the paediatric emerg...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 9, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Peter Heinz Tags: Personal practice Source Type: research
Practice makes perfect: the role of simulation in postgraduate paediatric education
This article draws on the experience in SBE course development from the paediatric simulation team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. We address several considerations in setting up effective SBE teaching. This includes technical and practical aspects such as acquiring equipment and involving appropriate faculty, as well as more abstract principles such as how to embed simulation in your workplace culture. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 8, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Catherine Beatty, Shoshana Layman, Annabel Copeman Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 24, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Screen-time: ensuring excellence in online teaching
Online and virtual learning grew exponentially during the coronavirus pandemic in all areas, including medical education. It is now a well-established part of clinical teaching. This raises questions about which learning content should be delivered online; how it should be delivered and, crucially, how to engage learners in the online environment. We summarise a range of approaches and key considerations to enable appropriate clinical content to be delivered online and propose a number of teaching modalities for use within medical education. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 24, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Martina Larsson, Nadia Shad, Rebecca Hulbert, Alice Rouech é, Chloe Macaulay Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Statistics at square zero: a survival guide
In order to understand or conduct research, it is important that all clinicians have at least a basic grasp of the commonly encountered statistical tests. Each has its limitations but there is usually a best or more appropriate test to use for a given set of data. This is a key skill for all clinicians and is one of the curriculum competencies identified by the Royal College of Paediatrics of Child Health. Much to the chagrin of many trainees it is also tested in the RCPCH examinations. A basic understanding of some of the more commonly encountered tests is helpful: it allows a more thorough appreciation of the data that a...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 18, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Lucy Foard Tags: Symposium: Research Source Type: research
How to write a good research grant proposal
Research is increasingly important for the delivery of the best possible paediatric care and in the training of healthcare professionals. Many young clinicians are now looking for some way of becoming involved in research during their training, and some will wish to develop a formal academic component to their career or study for a higher postgraduate degree. Research funding is essential to enable high quality research, but training in how to apply for such funding is limited. While it is no substitute for detailed guidance and support from a trusted and experienced research colleague, this article aims to provide practic...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 16, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Elaine M. Boyle, Frances J. Mielewczyk Tags: Symposium: research Source Type: research
Development of high-quality clinical guidelines for children and young people: a stepwise approach
High quality clinical guidelines play a fundamental role in improving healthcare and reducing unwarranted variations in practice. They are based on best available evidence, are developed with the appropriate ‘stakeholder’ engagement, and are subjected to external peer review. Development of clinical guidelines for children and young people (CYP) may be particularly challenging due to a lack of available evidence in an age group that is dominated by rare disease. Arguably, a lack of quality evidence increases the need for clinical guidelines. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 15, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jan Dudley, Natalie Bee, Nishanthi Talawila Da Camara, Khuen Foong Ng, Aung Soe, Kirsty Dean, Rosa Nieto-Hernandez Tags: Symposium: research Source Type: research
Data-driven quality improvement in child health
Quality improvement (QI) is a systematic and co-ordinated approach to solving a problem (Quality improvement made simple. The Health Foundation, 2021) and is used to improve safety, effectiveness, and experience of care within healthcare. The approach to QI should be pro-active and patient centred. Within paediatrics this requires us to consider the voice of children and young people when designing improvement to ensure we are meeting their needs. Understanding the key principles and methodology of QI is essential to ensure success when bringing about change. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 11, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Laura E. Duthie Tags: Symposium: research Source Type: research
What do you do when you have no evidence?
Evidence based medicine is all well and good, but what should you do when there is no evidence? How might you act differently if the absence of evidence relates to an acute problem, a complex chronic issue or a life-limiting situation? This is even more likely to be an issue when dealing with particular groups of patients. There is often a paucity of evidence when considering treatments or interventions for children and young people. This paper will guide the readers through various levels of absence of evidence, and while it won't be able to tell you what to do, it will give you different ways of looking at the problem. (...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 8, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Bob Phillips, Sheena Mukkada Tags: Symposium: research Source Type: research
