Children with cancer: quality of information for returning to school.

A children's oncology unit in the UK carried out an initial audit of the information given by healthcare professionals to children, families, teachers and educational institutions about the return to school of pupils with cancer. The findings were collated and presented to those involved. The audit has led to the provision of more consistent, continuing information to families and schools.

Vibrio harveyi sepsis in a child with cancer.

A paediatric oncology patient presented with central line sepsis caused by Vibrio harveyi, a gram negative bioluminescent marine bacterium known to be pathogenic to fish and marine invertebrates, after swimming in the sea.

Does the number of exogenous infections increase in paediatric oncology patients when sterile surgical gloves are not worn for accessing central venous access devices?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the routine use of sterile gloves when accessing central venous catheters (CVCs) affects the incidence of exogenous septicaemia in paediatric oncology patients. The 36-month study period ran prospectively from September 2000 to August 2003. During this time the routine use of sterile gloves for accessing CVCs was suspended.

Pharmacokinetics of dactinomycin in a pediatric patient population: a United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group Study.

Purpose: Dactinomycin (actinomycin D) is an antitumor antibiotic used routinely to treat certain pediatric and adult cancers. Despite concerns over the incidence of toxicity, little is known about the pharmacology of dactinomycin. A study was done to investigate dactinomycin pharmacokinetics in children.