Review of the Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability of Palivizumab in the Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major global cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity against RSV, is currently licensed for prophylactic use in specific "high-risk" populations, including congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and prematurity. Available research suggests palivizumab use in these high-risk populations can lead to a reduction in RSV-related hospitalization.

conjunctivitis in the pre-pubertal child.

Much is reported in the literature about the transmission and presentation of conjunctival infection in the neonate; however, there is a paucity of information available on infection in the older pre-pubertal child (>3 years of age). We present the case of a 7-year-old girl, referred for assessment at the sexual assault referral centre following the diagnosis of unilateral conjunctivitis. This child underwent a rigorous multiagency child protection process, with input from medical professionals, social services and the police to investigate the possibility of child sexual abuse (CSA).

A paediatric hospital care AMC report for Northern Ireland.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is high on the agenda of healthcare policymakers and measurement of its impact is reliant on antimicrobial consumption (AMC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data. Recent AMC reports have identified high antimicrobial prescribing rates in Northern Ireland (NI), compared with UK and European countries, but no separate paediatric data were reported.

Objectives: To describe AMC trends in paediatric and neonatal inpatient care in NI between September 2015 and September 2020, in order to: (i) create a paediatric-specific AMC report and benchmark for future AMS interventions; and (ii) develop an action plan for establishing paediatric AMC/AMR surveillance in NI.

'I'm too busy to teach'. Tips for teaching when time is tight.

Prioritising teaching when clinical practice is hectic can be difficult. Often teaching is seen to be confined to formal structured events. This article aims to highlight the abundance of learning opportunities that arise outside of such formal teaching events in daily clinical practice.

Addressing recruitment and retention in paediatrics: a pipeline to a brighter future.

Background: In the UK, the number of junior doctors completing foundation programme, and the number of trainees applying to paediatrics has been in decline in recent years. The NHS is at 'breaking point', exacerbated by workforce shortages, chronic underfunding, increasing service demand and poor job satisfaction within healthcare workers. Issues in recruitment and retention of paediatricians 'threaten the safety of our children's health', according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

How to interpret a paediatric blood culture.

Blood culture is one of the most important diagnostic tests in medicine, considering the significant morbidity and mortality associated with bloodstream infection (BSI). However, it is an often misused and misinterpreted test in everyday paediatric practice. In this article, we explore the evidence related to paediatric blood cultures, with the aim of providing clear and clinically-relevant recommendations for its judicious use.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children of United Kingdom healthcare workers: a prospective multicentre cohort study protocol.

Background: A novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for a worldwide pandemic. Children typically have very mild, or no, symptoms of infection. This makes estimations of seroprevalence in children difficult.

A common complaint… a rare disease!

A 2-year-old previously well child presented to the emergency department with temperatures and lethargy. He was pale and looked unwell. He received a fluid bolus and was commenced on intravenous ceftriaxone.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Severe traumatic brain injury in paediatrics.

Paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a non-degenerative, acquired brain insult. Following a blow or penetrating trauma to the head, normal brain function is disrupted. If it occurs during the early stages of development, deficits may not immediately become apparent but unfold and evolve over time.

Rare case of basilar artery aneurysm in a young child.

A previously well, 14-month-old girl presented with acute decreased level of consciousness. There was no history of trauma, systemic upset or significant family history. Blood pressure was within normal range and no focal neurological deficit was elicited on examination.

How to use perianal examination in children.

No examination of a child's abdomen or gastrointestinal system is complete without an examination of the 'backside' or perineum, however there is often reluctance among paediatricians to perform this examination routinely. This article aims to describe how to use perineal examination in infants and children. It discusses the indications and stepwise approach to performing a per-rectal examination and interpretation of the findings one could expect to encounter.

Ssssh for Handover: protected medical handover; optimising quality and prioritising safety-a regional initiative.

Medical handover is one of the most commonly performed actions in the healthcare system today. While it is performed regularly, it is often not done as effectively as it could or should be. Many organisations have implemented systems and structures to improve the quality and impact of their handover process.