Think hyperammonaemia: the importance of early clinical management in urea cycle disorders
Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are one of the more common groups of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). The urea cycle carried out by cells of the liver, detoxifies ammonia into urea which the body then excretes in the urine. UCDs are genetically inherited deficiencies in the enzymes of the urea cycle. UCDs cause hyperammonaemia, a metabolic emergency which requires prompt and meticulous management to prevent significant neurological harm and death. Timely investigation and treatment alongside liaison with the specialist metabolic centre are essential for improved patient outcomes and diagnosis. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 7, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Katie Raven, Chloe Poole, Effie Chronopoulou, Germaine Pierre Tags: Symposium: Inborn errors of metabolism Source Type: research
Artefactual skin disease in the paediatric population: diagnosis and guidance for management
Artefactual skin disease (ASD) or dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a factitious disorder uncommonly reported in the paediatric population. It is a psychocutaneous condition where patients present with externally induced skin (hair or nail) lesions that do not fit recognised patterns of organic disease. Patients classically deny any involvement in the pathogenesis of their skin lesions and will not be inclined to divulge their origin. Individuals may present with acute (e.g. blistering), intermittent (e.g. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 5, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Richard Barlow, Jothsana Srinivasan, Padma Mohandas Tags: Symposium: dermatology Source Type: research
A quick guide to eczema in children
This article aims to simplify the approach and treatment of paediatric eczema and offers practical advice to healthcare professionals caring for children with eczema. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 4, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Natalia Cartledge Tags: SYMPOSIUM: DERMATOLOGY Source Type: research
Management of burns in childhood
Burns in children are unfortunately common. They are most common in preschool children with almost two-thirds occurring in children under 5 years of age. Management of severe burns is truly interdisciplinary, with children often requiring acute medical, nursing and surgical care. Optimal care requires treatment in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings and involves primary care health professionals, emergency services, emergency department health care professionals, paediatricians and paediatric surgical teams. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 4, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Helen Buschel, Daniel Carroll Tags: Symposium: Dermatology Source Type: research
Therapeutic advances in spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare neuromuscular condition, characterized by loss of motor neurons as a result of a mutation in the survival motor neuron gene. This results in muscle wasting and in the most common and severe type, death before 24 months. Over the recent years there has been a dynamic shift in the therapeutic options for these patients involving both approved therapies, including gene therapy, and access to clinical trials in genetic modifying therapies to indirectly improve the survival motor neuron protein level and hence strength, muscle promotor therapies, up/down regulation of modifier genes and...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 4, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tracey Anne Willis Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - January 1, 2023 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Self-assessment
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 30, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Merella Al Tali, Peter Heinz Tags: Self-assessment Source Type: research
A practical guide to the assessment and management of acne vulgaris
This article provides a practical guide to assessing a young person with acne, giving accurate information about the condition, and starting them on a treatment journey. The association between acne and mental health is considered and advice offered regarding which treatments to prescribe, for how long, when to review, and when to refer on to dermatology. Indications for topical treatments, antibiotics, hormonal treatments and oral isotretinoin are discussed. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - December 21, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jane Ravenscroft, Damian Wood, Alison Layton Tags: Dermatology Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 30, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
A practical approach to refractory Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a medium vessel vasculitis and is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in childhood. If left untreated, KD leads to coronary artery aneurysms in 15 –25% of patients and the mortality rate in the UK is currently 0.4%. As such, KD is an important preventable cause of heart disease in the young. The aetiology of KD remains unknown, but most likely it represents an aberrant inflammatory host response to one or more as yet unidentified immunologic al trigger(s) in genetically predisposed individuals. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 17, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Christine Riyad, Paul Brogan Tags: Personal practice Source Type: research
How to be a named or designated doctor for looked-after children
There are approximately 100,000 looked after children within the care system in the UK. Children and young people enter the care system with unmet health needs and missed routine health screening and poor management of existing health conditions. They may have delayed development due to neglect and many have unmet and significant emotional health needs. Named and Designated Doctors for looked after children are passionate experts willing to stand up and advocate for children and young people. They exert influence on a larger scale within the healthcare system, offering senior level problem solving and contributions to inte...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 15, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Vicki Walker Tags: Symposium: Safeguarding Source Type: research
Initial health assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children: advice and good practice
There were 3,762 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in the UK in 2021. UASC often have significant physical and mental health needs. They suffer from conditions linked to extreme poverty, such as malnutrition and tuberculosis. The proportion of UASC with complications related to their vision, dental health, skin, sleep, and mental health is high. They are also at increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including blood-borne infections. UASC become ‘looked after’ by their local authorities and therefore should have Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) in the same way as other children also in the care of...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 15, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Sukhpreet Kaur Baidwan Tags: Symposium: Safeguarding Source Type: research
Understanding and managing pain in children with cerebral palsy
Pain in children with cerebral palsy is a common presentation. It is a complex topic with multiple causes, presentations, and effects. This makes assessment and management a huge challenge that requires multidisciplinary input. It can be further complicated by difficulties in communication and thus, expression of pain. Early recognition is vital as pain can impact a child's quality of life and participation in therapy and social activities. This review aims to explore what causes pain in children with cerebral palsy and how it is evaluated. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 15, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Emily Williams, Joanna Coghill Tags: Occasional review Source Type: research
Is it child sexual abuse? A general paediatrician's guide
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is more common than many professionals working with children imagine: it is estimated that contact-sexual abuse affects at least 1 in 20 children, and is equally as common as physical abuse. Although some children will make allegations of (disclose) abuse, others present with physical signs such as unexplained vaginal bleeding, or behavioural concerns such as sexualised behaviour. This paper aims to provide evidence-based guidance on the differential diagnosis for common presentations, enabling the general paediatrician to confidently refer and discussed at Strategy Meeting those case requiring spe...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 14, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jo Gifford Tags: Symposium: Safeguarding Source Type: research
Practical approach to tachyarrhythmia in children
Abnormalities of the cardiac rhythm are relatively common in children, with an estimated incidence of almost 1 in 4000 births. Most of these are supraventricular, and about half of children will experience their first episode as an infant. Symptoms, particularly in younger children, may be hard to detect. Delay in diagnosis can lead to ventricular dysfunction, heart failure and acute collapse. This short review provides an overview of the types of cardiac arrhythmias commonly encountered in children, provides practical advice for diagnosis, including the utility of different types of cardiac monitoring devices and outlines...
Source: Paediatrics and Child Health - November 2, 2022 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Norah YS. Yap, Arthur Yue, Shankar Sadagopan, Nicholas Hayes Tags: Symposium: Cardiovascular medicine Source Type: research
