Places of Farewell: A Scoping Review Exploring Factors Influencing the Choice of Place of Death for Children when Death is Expected.

Progression of ill health and death trajectories is different for children with a non-oncology diagnosis. As previous research has focused primarily on children with cancer diagnoses, this scoping review explored what factors influence the parent and/or child's choice of place of death for a child with a non-oncological complex care condition, when death is expected. Eighteen papers were identified considering the preferred place of death.

Awareness of antibiotic resistance is important.

Prescribing antibiotics for otitis media and other upper respiratory tract infections became 'standard' practice in an era when complications from such infections were relatively common and potentially serious ( National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2008). However, there is little evidence for the efficacy of antibiotics in managing otitis media (Venekamp et al 2015) and this, along with concerns about increased antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions, provides a powerful incentive to examine antibiotic use.

Recognition and management of asthma in children and young people.

Asthma is a common childhood disorder that has global significance. Developing an understanding of the aetiology, effects, diagnosis and management of the disorder enables healthcare practitioners to reduce the physical, psychological and social effects of asthma on children, families and healthcare systems. This article refers to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and British Thoracic Society guideline on the management of asthma, and enables the reader to incorporate this guidance into their practice.

The role of vitamin D in infants, children and young people.

In recent years there has been a growing interest in vitamin D, the role it plays in the body and the effects of its deficiency. This article provides an overview of what is known about vitamin D and the role it plays in growth, development and maintenance of health.

Measles: pathology, management and public health issues.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that continues to occur in epidemics in the UK despite efforts to eradicate it. In the acute stage, measles is associated with several complications including otitis media, but some of the most severe consequences of the disease occur months and even years after the initial infection. Worldwide, measles contributes significantly to deaths in childhood and places an additional burden on families already living with the consequence of poverty and conflict.

Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management.

Although there is a high uptake of vaccinations providing protection against Bordetella pertussis, the main cause of whooping cough, there has been an increase in the incidence of notifications of the disease in the UK and other developed countries in recent years. The increase in cases of whooping cough is mainly evident in older children and adults. While these individuals may experience persistent and unpleasant symptoms, most notably prolonged cough, symptoms may be mild, in part, because most older children and adults have been vaccinated against the disease.

Vitamin D deficiency: identifying gaps in the evidence base.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. Vitamin D has attracted attention since evidence emerged that it may have functions beyond the control of serum calcium, for example immune system functioning and protection against damage to blood vessels. Gaps in the evidence base relating to vitamin D are also acknowledged.

Parents in accident and emergency: roles and concerns.

Attending Accident and Emergency (A&E) with a child who has sustained a minor injury is a common experience for parents. Little research has focused on parents' behaviour in these circumstances, but children in previous studies have identified parents as their primary source of support. This article reports findings from a qualitative study that reveals the responsibilities that parents adopt and the concerns they express.