Diamorphine pharmacokinetics and conversion factor estimates for intranasal diamorphine in paediatric breakthrough pain:systematic review.

Background: Intranasal diamorphine is a potential treatment for breakthrough pain but few paediatric data are available to assist dose estimation.

Aim: To determine an intranasal diamorphine dose in children through an understanding of pharmacokinetics.

Design: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to seek diamorphine pharmacokinetic parameters in neonates, children and adults.

Pediatric pain management in palliative care.

The management of pain in pediatric palliative care (PPC) is essential. Whilst the field of pain management has developed over the years, much of what is done in PPC is based on anecdotal evidence or adult studies. This review explores recent developments in pain management in PPC, in particular the WHO guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses.