News | Paediatrics and neonatal

Valproic acid use during pregnancy associated with elevated risk of autism and ADHD, study suggests

Women who take valproic acid for epilepsy while pregnant are twice as likely to have children with autism spectrum disorder, a study has suggested.…

Prescribing ward round with pharmacist involvement cuts errors on paediatric ICU

A daily prescribing round in a paediatric intensive care unit led to a reduction in prescribing errors and overall time spent on medicines queries and prescribing.…

Trial confirms antiepileptic effects of fenfluramine in children with Dravet syndrome

Children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that is resistant to treatment, experience fewer seizures when treated with fenfluramine, a phase III trial published in The Lancet has confirmed.…

Little evidence to inform pharmacological paediatric migraine prevention, review finds

There is limited evidence available to support the efficacy of prophylactic pharmacological treatments in the prevention of paediatric migraines, a systematic review has concluded.…

Community pharmacy paediatric palliative care pilot launched in Scotland

A 12-month pilot of a community pharmacy-led palliative care service specifically targeted at children has launched in Scotland.…

Medicines use in children and young people: it is time for a reappraisal

The Pharmaceutical Journal is announcing an initiative to share new information on how medicines can be used safely and effectively in children and young people.…

Omega-3 supplements can improve ADHD symptoms in some young people

Omega-3 fish oil supplements improve attention and vigilance in young people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, who have low levels of omega-3, a study in Translational Psychiatry suggests.…

NICE guidance linked with rising antidepressant use in children

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines from 2005 may have inadvertently led to increased antidepressant prescribing in children aged under 18 years.…

Guide to prescribing children’s medicine

Prescribing medicines for children: from drug development to practical administration, by Barker B, Turner M and Sharland M (eds).…

Cigarette use in young people hits all-time low as e-cigarette use remains constant

The proportion of young people who have smoked a cigarette has reached an all-time low, official figures from NHS Digital have found.…