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Acceptance of angulation in the non-operative treatment of paediatric forearm fractures.

Forearm fractures are the most common injury in paediatric traumatology. The unique properties of the juvenile skeleton make it possible to cope well with traumatic deformities such as angulation, apposition and displacement. While we make use of these properties, the exact mechanism and degree of healing remains obscure. Different types of forearm fractures require specific treatment options, each with its limitations. A meta-analysis of recent literature was carried out, and together with the opinions of 18 international experts an effort was made to provide insight into the limits of acceptance of angular deformation in the non-operative treatment of paediatric forearm fractures. With this information we constructed graphs (age versus angulation) for each of the eight types of paediatric forearm fractures. In the absence of proper trials, it is our opinion that the presented Isala graphs can provide useful support in the decision-making process of acceptance of angular deformities in paediatric forearm fractures.

Adolescent↗

The use of nitrous oxide in paediatric anaesthetic practice in the United Kingdom: a questionnaire survey.

Nitrous oxide pollution is common in paediatric anaesthetic practice. A questionnaire was sent to all UK members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists requesting details of three areas of their paediatric practice relating to nitrous oxide: attitudes to its use; current usage; and availability of alternatives. Replies were received from 296 (68%) consultants. Of these, 169 (57%) stated that their use of nitrous oxide had decreased over the last 5 years. One hundred and fifty-eight (54%) considered theatre pollution a problem in paediatric anaesthesia. One hundred and sixty-nine (57%) reported that in normal circumstances potential deleterious effects on patients influenced their use of nitrous oxide, whilst only 70 (24%) felt potential effects on staff influenced usage. Fifty-five (18%) felt there should be some restriction in the availability of nitrous oxide.

Anesthesia↗

Changes in availability of paediatric medicines in Australia between 1998 and 2002.

AIMS: To determine changes in the availability of medicines for children in Australia and to determine the status of newly introduced chemical entities by age category. METHODS: Using the Australian Prescription Products Guide and the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, licensed medicines available in Australia in the calendar years 1998 and 2002 were examined. RESULTS: The total number of medicines licensed in Australia increased from 1544 to 1903, the number of licensed paediatric items increased from 579 (37.5%) to 725 (38.1%), and those both licensed for paediatric use and subsidized increased from 356 (23.1%) to 441 (23.2%). The number of medicines with formulations suitable for paediatric use increased from 861 (55.7%) to 967 (50.8%), and of these 382 (24.7%) and 466 (24.5%) were licensed for paediatric use. Of the 90 new orally available chemical entities licensed for adults only 12 (13%) were licensed for children. Three (3%) were licensed for the 0-28 days and 28 days to 23 months age groups, eight (9%) for 2-11 years and 12 (13%) for 12-18 years. An additional 14 orally available chemical entities previously only licensed for adults, were licensed for children by 2002. CONCLUSIONS: There have been some improvements in medicines licensing for older children, but not for children under the age of two years.

Administration, Oral↗

The potential of UK clinical databases in enhancing paediatric medication research.

The research potential of many UK clinical databases is not being realized. A recent report published by the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health stated that there is a need to build research capacity and support in the area of paediatric pharmacology, with specific emphasis on the use of clinical databases. This article presents the databases available in the UK for medication research and gives some examples of paediatric studies conducted. The databases discussed include the Prescription Pricing Authority database, the General Practice Research Database, IMS Health databases (Medical Data Index, MIDAS Prescribing Insights, Disease-Analyser-Mediplus) and the Yellow Card Scheme. Other databases such as the Medicines Monitoring Unit (MEMO) and the Scottish Primary Care Computer System also have research potential in paediatric pharmacoepidemiology, but their population sizes are relatively small.

Adolescent↗

Association of epithelial damage and signs of neutrophil mobilization in the airways during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma.

We examined whether epithelial damage is associated with mobilization of neutrophils or eosinophils in the airway lumen during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma. Aspirated sputum samples were harvested from 65 paediatric patients (mean age 3.4 +/- 0.4 years) during acute exacerbations of asthma. Patients with signs of infection were excluded. The presence of conglomerates of epithelial cells (i.e. "Creola bodies") in the aspirated sputum was utilized as a marker of epithelial damage. Among the paediatric asthma patients, 60% displayed Creola bodies (CrB+: n = 39) in their sputum samples whereas the remaining patients did not (CrB-: n = 26). CrB+ patients displayed more than a 20-fold increase in the concentration of the neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine interleukin (IL)-8 (pg/ml) and of the neutrophil product neutrophil elastase (NE, g/l), respectively, compared with CrB- patients (IL-8: 7468.2 +/- 1953.6 versus 347.9 +/- 72.6, P < 0.01; NE: 2072.4 +/- 419.0 versus 438.5 +/- 125.7, P < 0.01). Even though not statistically significant, a corresponding trend was observed for the relative number of sputum neutrophils. In contrast, the concentration of the eosinophil-mobilizing cytokine IL-5 and the esoinophil product ECP tended to be lower in CrB+ than in CrB- patients (P > 0.05). In conclusion, as indicated by the analysis of aspirated sputum, epithelial damage is associated with a locally enhanced chemotactic signal for and activity of neutrophils, but not eosinophils, during acute exacerbations of paediatric asthma. It remains to be determined whether these indirect signs of neutrophil mobilization in the airway lumen mirror an increased number of neutrophils in the surrounding airway tissue.

Acute Disease↗

An assessment of rubber dam usage amongst specialists in paediatric dentistry practising within the UK.

OBJECTIVE: Rubber dam is recommended by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) for various restorative and endodontic procedures. To date, there has been no report of actual usage of rubber dam within the speciality of paediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess the usage of rubber dam amongst paediatric dentistry specialists within the UK. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was distributed to all practitioners registered on the UK General Dental Council's 2004 specialist list in paediatric dentistry. RESULTS: Data were available for 162 questionnaires (a 75% response rate), and of these, 85% of respondents worked in the National Health Service (NHS), 4% were private practitioners and the remainder had a mixed NHS/private practice. Regarding the benefits of rubber dam, 65% and 52% of respondents quoted patient safety and moisture control, respectively. Perceived difficulties of dam usage were lack of patient cooperation and the non-necessity for a particular treatment, as quoted in 64% and 36% of the completed questionnaires, respectively. The most common modes of isolation for anterior and posterior teeth were Dry Dam(R) (58%), and clamp and dam (80%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Current BSPD guidelines recommend rubber dam usage for many restorative procedures; however, it would appear that there is wide variability in the application, as well as under-use, of rubber dam.

Adult↗

Fever management: paediatric nurses' knowledge, attitudes and influencing factors.

AIMS: This paper describes Australian paediatric nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward fever and its management and the predictors of their intentions to administer paracetamol to a febrile child. BACKGROUND: Despite evidence-based support for the beneficial effects of fever over the past three decades, health professionals' negative attitudes toward fever and their reliance on antipyretics to reduce it have persisted and continue to be reported in the literature. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire was used. An instrument was developed, piloted by test-retest and revised prior to data collection. Fifty-one paediatric nurses working in medical wards of a metropolitan paediatric hospital in Australia participated. RESULTS: Nurses' mean knowledge score about the physiology of fever, general fever management and antipyretics was 62%, which was not as high as expected. Participants reported positive attitudes toward the benefits of fever, the necessity for its reduction in children with pre-existing cardiac or respiratory conditions and towards regular antipyretic administration masking the infective process. Negative attitudes included disbelief that temperature is often unrelated to illness severity. Conflicting attitudes toward febrile convulsions were highlighted by beliefs that antipyretic therapy prevents these and that antipyretics do not prevent initial febrile convulsions. Predictors of intentions to administer paracetamol were beliefs about the effectiveness of paracetamol and nurses' beliefs about the expectations of others in relation to paracetamol administration. Nurses reported strong intentions to administer paracetamol to the next febrile child they cared for. Limitations of the study include the use of a nurse manager for recruitment and collecting the data at only one site. CONCLUSIONS: Fever management is an integral aspect of paediatric nursing. For its consistent rational management, nurses must have appropriate knowledge and positive attitudes. This highlights the need for continuing education in fever management.

Acetaminophen↗

Paediatric oncology nurse education: the development of a national framework.

BACKGROUND: It is recognized that there is a need for specialist nursing courses in a range of paediatric nursing specialities. Paediatric oncology nurses are facing challenges with clinical advances and the need for specialized care. At present there are no available courses in Scotland offering preparation for nurses working in a paediatric oncology setting. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This project, supported by Macmillan Cancer Relief, addresses this deficit by developing a comprehensive framework for a small and widely dispersed speciality. METHODS: Information on the needs and expectations of nurses and service managers in this field was obtained through postal questionnaires and focus groups. Due to the need for collaboration between higher educational institutions and service colleagues the views of educators were also established through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Problematic practice issues were cited and these issues were further discussed and recognized as the main educational needs. Availability and accessibility of education were of great importance. CONCLUSION: The framework developed aims to provide ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development within this speciality. Development of the educational framework is required to provide a course accessible to a wide geographical area of nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A National Framework for Paediatric Oncology Nurse Education was developed in response to views of experts working in the field, to the views of other stakeholders and to what is known about needs and preferences of children with cancer and their families.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Advances in paediatric pharmacotherapy.

Marked differences in body composition and organ function development have been demonstrated among neonates, infants, and children versus adults. Specific dosage guidelines for the paediatric population, however, are still not available for the majority of marketed drugs. Much needs to be learned about the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, comparative efficacy and safety of drugs in infants and children. Recent developments in paediatric therapeutics include the availability of several new antibiotics for the treatment of infections including, streptococcal pharyngitis, otitis media, bacterial meningitis, herpes encephalitis, neonatal herpes, and AIDS. Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin have become important adjunctive treatments for certain infections. A variety of drugs are available to treat asthma but the mortality due to this disease is still increasing. The identification of a gene defect in patients with cystic fibrosis could lead to more effective treatment in the future. Ondansetron, marketed for use in adults only, shows promise as a more effective and safer antiemetic in children receiving cancer chemotherapy. Numerous drugs are not available in suitable dosage forms for paediatric use and extemporaneous formulations are required. Documentation on the stability of the reformulated drugs is therefore needed. Studies have shown that the methods used for intravenous delivery can influence the serum concentrations of drugs in infants and children. Large numbers of children could be saved worldwide solely with improved vaccination and control of diarrhoea. Despite this, it is encouraging to witness the continued advances being made in paediatric pharmacotherapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The clinical learning environments in medicine, paediatrics and surgery clerkships.

Using questionnaires, the students of the 1981 graduating class from McGill's Faculty of Medicine were investigated for their perceptions of the nature of the clinical instruction and of the roles of the consultant, resident and intern staffs during clerkships in medicine, paediatrics and surgery. Personal student diaries were used to assess time spent on various clinical activities. The results indicated that students perceived learning to be different in the three disciplines, with the acquisition of clinical skills (technical and problem-solving skills) greater in medicine and surgery than in paediatrics, and the acquisition of interpersonal skills and factual knowledge greater in paediatrics than in medicine and surgery. Students perceived themselves as passive observers in surgery and formed personal relationships more easily with staff in medicine and paediatrics than in surgery. In contrast, students perceived more emphasis on team effort in surgery. Time spent on activities related to direct patient encounter was greatest in medicine. The findings suggest that the learning environments in clinical disciplines are not homogeneous and this has implications for curricular planning and clinical teaching.

Clinical Clerkship↗

Learning preference and personality type: their association in paediatric residents.

The objective of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the learning preferences and personality types of residents in paediatrics. As part of a study to teach residents in paediatrics how to teach, the authors administered the Learning Preference Inventory (LPI) and Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation (FIRO-B) instruments to 55 residents in paediatrics at all three levels of training. The instruments provided data that were used to provide feedback to residents on their learning preferences and interaction styles, as well as how these factors might affect teaching and learning in the clinical setting. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine relationships between the LPI and the FIRO-B. Fifty-two of the 55 residents (95%) completed the instruments. The results revealed that residents' learning preferences were significantly related to their personality types. For example, residents with high inclusion and affection scores on the FIRO-B preferred learning with others, which was significantly related to their high interpersonal scores on the LPI. Residents with low inclusion and affection scores were more likely to prefer independent learning (high individual and student-structured scores on the LPI) and abstract learning at statistically significant levels. The scores obtained by residents in paediatrics on the LPI were strongly correlated with those obtained on the FIRO-B. These data may have important implications for the way in which staff recruit, counsel and teach residents. The fact that the LPI is easy to administer and does not purport to measure personality styles makes it an acceptable educational tool that can be used in many areas of training.

Attitude↗

IgE antibody screening in children. Evaluation of the Phadiatop Paediatric.

With 200 sera from children, results of the Phadiatop Paediatric test were compared with results of the combination "Phadiatop + mixed-food-RAST". The Phadiatop Paediatric test was found to be efficient for IgE antibody screening in young children, when the results of this test were not solely given as "positive" or "negative", but also as "sample/reference-ratio". Clinical documentation could be obtained retrospectively for 171 children and revealed that 99% of the children with atopic disease were found positive in the Phadiatop Paediatric, 17% of the children who were considered non-atopic on clinical grounds, were positive both in the Phadiatop Paediatric and in the combination "Phadiatop + mixed-food-RAST". It is concluded that an atopic immune response is not always associated with current symptoms.

Child↗

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in paediatric patients with biliary disorders.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has long been used in children. The usefulness of ERCP in paediatric patients with various biliary disorders, however, has not been well documented. Thirty-two sessions of ERCP performed in 29 paediatric patients ranging in age from 1 month to 15 years were evaluated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was to confirm diagnosis or to obtain detailed information about their pancreaticobiliary system. Cannulation was successful in all patients. Opacification of the biliary tracts was also successful in all except for three patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was assessed to be successful in making a differential diagnosis of neonatal hepatitis from extrahepatic biliary atresia, and in having a confirmed diagnosis of anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system associated with choledochal cyst. The procedure was also useful for obtaining detailed information on the pancreaticobiliary system in the other children. No accidents occurred during the endoscopic procedures in any of the paediatric patients. When a confirmed diagnosis or detailed information is needed in paediatric patients with biliary disorders, ERCP is a useful and safe technique.

Adolescent↗

The changing workload in paediatric urology.

Almost 3000 (2969) paediatric urological procedures carried out by three paediatric surgeons over a 3-year period have been analysed. Almost half of the patients were managed as day cases. The content of the work has been examined and the implications for continuing patient care, surgical training and the desirable paediatric infrastructure noted. Inguinoscrotal operations, surgery for hypospadias and ureteric reimplant for vesicoureteric reflux are the commonest "open" operations. Most paediatric urological procedures will continue to be done by a variety of surgeons of different specialties.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Observational study of suspected maltreatment in Italian paediatric emergency departments.

AIMS: To evaluate how often children seen in paediatric accident & emergency (A&E) departments were suspected of abuse or neglect, and to explore some of the correlates of suspected child maltreatment. METHODS: Multicentre, cross-sectional study of 15 randomised census days during a six month period. Trained research assistants working with local paediatric staff completed a purpose made anonymised checklist covering sociodemographic and medical information. A six point suspicion index was used to rate compatibility with child maltreatment based on the occurrence of observable harm. Statistical analysis was carried out on the basis that a score of 4 or more was suspicious of child maltreatment. Nineteen hospitals provided standardised paediatric A&E consultation data on 0-14 year olds presenting between 10 am and 10 pm. RESULTS: Of 10 175 assessed children, 204 aroused suspicion of child maltreatment (95% CI 163 to 214 per 10,000). In a logistic regression model of suspected maltreatment statistically significant associations were found with socioeconomic disadvantage, children living in single parent families, and developmental delay. There was no correlation with pre-school age, male gender, foreign origin, or living in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: Child maltreatment based on immediate scoring of suspicion, focused on observable harm, occurred in 2% of a representative sample of paediatric emergency consultations in Italy. This was more common if there were associated social and developmental vulnerabilities. True prevalence of child maltreatment in emergency departments remains elusive because of changing definitions and forensic validation problems.

Adolescent↗

Reliability of PRISM and PIM scores in paediatric intensive care.

AIMS: To assess the reliability of mortality risk assessment using the Paediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score and the Paediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) in daily practice. METHODS: Twenty seven physicians from eight tertiary paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were asked to assess the severity of illness of 10 representative patients using the PRISM and PIM scores. Physicians were divided into three levels of experience: intensivists (>3 years PICU experience, n = 12), PICU fellows (6-30 months of PICU experience, n = 6), and residents (<6 months PICU experience, n = 9). This represents all large PICUs and about half of the paediatric intensivists and PICU fellows working in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Individual scores and predicted mortality risks for each patient varied widely. For PRISM scores the average intraclass correlation (ICC) was 0.51 (range 0.32-0.78), and the average kappa score 0.6 (range 0.28-0.87). For PIM scores the average ICC was 0.18 (range 0.08-0.46) and the average kappa score 0.53 (range 0.32-0.88). This variability occurred in both experienced and inexperienced physicians. The percentage of exact agreement ranged from 30% to 82% for PRISM scores and from 28 to 84% for PIM scores. CONCLUSION: In daily practice severity of illness scoring using the PRISM and PIM risk adjustment systems is associated with wide variability. These differences could not be explained by the physician's level of experience. Reliable assessment of PRISM and PIM scores requires rigorous specific training and strict adherence to guidelines. Consequently, assessment should probably be performed by a limited number of well trained professionals.

Analysis of Variance↗

Tracing Sydenham's chorea: historical documents from a British paediatric hospital.

Sydenham's chorea (SC) became a well defined nosological entity only during the second half of the nineteenth century. Such progress was promoted by the availability of large clinical series provided by newly founded paediatric hospitals. This paper analyses the demographic and clinical features of patients with chorea admitted to the first British paediatric hospital (the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London) between 1852 and 1936. The seasonal and demographic characteristics of SC during this time appear strikingly similar to those observed today, and witness the introduction of modern "statistically averaging" techniques in the approach to complex paediatric syndromes. Great Ormond Street (GOS) hospital case notes provide detailed descriptions of the "typical cases" of SC, and show that British physicians working in the early age of paediatric hospitals succeeded in recognising the most distinctive clinical features of this fascinating condition.

Child↗

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health programme for subspecialty training.

The National Grid is a training scheme that represents a unique partnership between Deaneries and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in offering through national competition, equitable access to high quality subspecialty training. Paediatrics is unusual in that within the umbrella Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in paediatrics there is the potential to train in one of 13 recognised paediatric subspecialties.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗