Online First
April 20, 2021
- Original researchUltrasound for the diagnosis of malrotation and volvulus in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of intestinal malrotation and volvulus found moderate quality evidence for ultrasound as the first-line diagnostic test for this emergency condition in children.
April 16, 2021
- Original researchFeeding disorders in children with oesophageal atresia: a cross-sectional study
This study of patients from the French national network oesophageal atresia (OA) registry used a standardised questionnaire to investigate the frequency of feeding disorders. These were diagnosed in 42%, of whom over a third had failed to thrive. The authors advocate systematic feeding assessment in follow up of children operated on for OA.
April 15, 2021
- ReviewRecommendations by the European Network of Paediatric Research at the European Medicines Agency (Enpr-EMA) Working Group on preparedness of clinical trials about paediatric medicines process
Clinical trials in children require careful preparation, or they risk avoidable delays. This report provides a structured approach to clinical trial preparation for paediatric populations, and includes practical suggestions to improve the process based on learning from industry, regulators, sites, and patient advocates.
April 14, 2021
- ReviewCystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators for cystic fibrosis: a new dawn?
Until recently, progress in the management of cystic fibrosis, had been limited by the lack of means of modifying the root cause, the function of the CF transmembrane regulator. Since the arrival of ivacaftor and it related modulators, potential long term outcomes have been enhanced, though cost is currently a barrier to wider routine intervention to the 90 % of children likely to benefit.
- ReviewEthical issues in treatment of babies born at 22 weeks of gestation
Ethical examination of current guidance and practice with respect to resuscitating 22 weekers.
- Images in paediatricsImportance of the arc of Riolan in children with severe middle aortic syndrome
- Clinical law for clinical practiceRemote consultations and patient images: actual pitfalls in virtual practice
- Original researchIntrathecal baclofen pumps in the management of hypertonia in childhood: a UK and Ireland wide survey
All twelve centres in Great Britain and Ireland that provide intrathecal baclofen therapy report results over a 5 month period. There is considerable variation in referral criteria and the way it is used. There is a need for greater standardisation of ITB therapy to ensure equality of provision.
April 12, 2021
- Original researchRecovery from chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review—heterogeneity of definition limits study comparison
Significant differences in definitions of recovery, result in highly varied reported recovery rates for chronic fatigue syndrome. Consensus definitions of recovery are needed, the authors recommend that recovery may be best defined from the child's own perspective.
- Clinical law for clinical practiceGillick’s third facet: where the child and the doctor agree on treatment of gender dysphoria
April 09, 2021
April 08, 2021
April 07, 2021
March 30, 2021
- Original researchCan parents believe websites’ information about methylphenidate’s side effects?
Parents and patients will seek out information about medicines on the internet. But how reliable are these sources of information, particularly about adverse effects? This work carefully examines a range of sites identified using methylphenidate as the exemplar drug, comparing the findings on these sites to the BNFc listed ADRs, and found predominantly reassuring results.
- Original researchMelatonin for non-operating room sedation in paediatric population: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review evaluates the evidence supporting melatonin's efficacy and safety for sedation, alone and in combination.
March 19, 2021
- Short reportAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: parent/carer perceptions of barriers to healthcare access
Interviews with parents and carers of young people with ADHD highlight a range of barriers to accessing services and situate these difficulties in a wider network of disjointed and hard to navigate services. Solutions to improve access are proposed.
- Original researchExperiences of adolescents living with Silver-Russell syndrome
In depth qualitative interviews with young people growing up with Silver- Russell syndrome identified multiple psychosocial challenges. Currently young people are discharged and not monitored into adulthood. This may need to change
March 18, 2021
- Original researchSharing a household with children and risk of COVID-19: a study of over 300 000 adults living in healthcare worker households in Scotland
Many parents know that having young children in the house means they get frequent respiratory viral infections. Is this the same for COVID, which is less frequent and less severe in children? This cohort study finds that having young children in the house reduces the risk of COVID.
March 16, 2021
- Original researchPost-COVID-19 paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome: association of ethnicity, key worker and socioeconomic status with risk and severity
In a cohort of children from South East England, there was some evidence for potentially higher risk & severity in groups with higher deprivation and in ethnic minoritys. The finding warrant further investigation.
- Original researchRisk factors for intellectual disability in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Using valuable data from the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy (CP) Register collected over more then 20 years, the authors demonstrate that severe intellectual disability is more common in children with bilateral compared to unilateral cerebral CP, with a greater risk in children born near term. As well as guiding the focus of screening for such problems in this population, this serves to demonstrate the value of well curated registry data for children with CP.
- Original researchInfluence of agents and mechanisms of injury on anatomical burn locations in children <5 years old with a scald
This cross-sectional study collected standardised data from 20 hospital sites in England and Wales on over 1000 children presenting acutely with scalds. Mechanisms of injury and distribution of scalds are described, with data on referrals to child protection agencies.
March 12, 2021
- Original researchGestational age on trajectories of social competence difficulties into adolescence
In a large cohort study, children born at earlier gestational age had greater social competence difficulties at 14 years. The earlier the gestational age the greater the difficulties. Some of this difference was mediated by the presence of maternal psychological distress.
March 11, 2021
- Short reportBronchiolitis and SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 was not already circulating among infants with bronchiolitis and asymptomatic infants before the official outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 before February 2020.There is an association between SARS-CoV-2 and bronchiolitis
March 10, 2021
- Original research‘Do I, don’t I?’ A qualitative study addressing parental perceptions about seeking healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic
A qualitative study of parents accessing acute paediatric services. Delays in seeking help were primarily driven by fear of infection. Parents had experienced delays in accessing primary care, but once at secondary care were satisfied with care received.
March 09, 2021
March 08, 2021
- Original researchReducing negative emotions in children using social robots: systematic review
Social robots may reduce stress and anxiety in children admitted to hospital, but better quality research is needed before widespread adoption
March 06, 2021
March 02, 2021
- Original researchHealth of mothers of children with a life-limiting condition: a comparative cohort study
A large cohort study showing a mother's health can be adversely affected when caring for these children.
February 26, 2021
- Original researchQuality of life of children treated for unilateral hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis of children with moderate to severe unilateral hearing loss showed quality of life was significantly improved with hearing rehabilitation.
February 25, 2021
- Original researchLong-term outcomes in children with absent pulmonary valve syndrome: it is not just fixing the heart
This single centre study reports a 10 year experience of management of children with the 'Absent Pulmonary Valve' variant of Tetralogy of Fallot. This peculiar variant mainly has respiratory implications including long term ventilation due to its strong association with trachea-bronchomalaica, but some also have significant neurodevelopmental problems. This paper highlights the strong multidisciplinary team approach required for the care of many cardiac patients, and we should also consider the psychosocial comorbidities this can engender.
- Original researchUK paediatric oncology Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia surveillance study
This paper looks at the mortality, outcomes and use of prophylaxis associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP)in children being treated for malignancies across the UK. A quarter of patients had not been receiving PJP prophylaxis.
- Original researchAdjuvant corticosteroids for prevention of kidney scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors found that adjuvant corticosteroids can prevent renal scarring to antibiotic therapy in febrile UTI. Because of moderate-quality evidence, further multicentric randomized trials with adequate sample size are needed.
February 23, 2021
February 18, 2021
- Original researchCan TEN4 distinguish bruises from abuse, inherited bleeding disorders or accidents?
This paper evaluates the utility of the TEN4 categorisation of bruises (Torso, Ear, Neck and any bruise in < 4 month-old) in differentiating between abuse, accidents and inherited bleeding disorders.