Paediatrics

Neurotransmitter-affecting medicines used in pregnancy not linked to autism risk in offspring

Use of medicines targeting neurotransmitter systems during pregnancy is unlikely to influence estimates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, the authors of a study published in JAMA Psychiatry have concluded.…

Pharmaceutical company charged following investigation into deaths of babies

A pharmaceutical firm has been charged with criminal offences following a police investigation into the deaths and illnesses of babies at hospitals in England.…

Small children prioritised under emergency protocol to tackle ‘critical’ EpiPen shortage

Supplies of adrenaline auto-injectors for children are now “critical” and are being rationed with new national guidance for community pharmacists being introduced across England.…

Health secretary says 5 million genomes will be sequenced in next five years

From 2019, all seriously ill children and adults with certain rare diseases or hard-to-treat cancers will be offered whole-genome sequencing as part of their care, Matt Hancock has said.…

Antibiotics ‘do not cut hospitalisation risk’ in children with respiratory infections

Analysis of children presenting in primary care has found that delaying or withholding antibiotics is the most appropriate way of treating suspected respiratory tract infections.…

MMR vaccine coverage in England falls for fourth year in a row

Childhood vaccination coverage declined in 9 of the 12 routine vaccinations measured at ages one, two or five years in 2017/2018, compared with the previous year, according to statistics released by Public Health England.…

Medical cannabis: evidence, challenges and barriers to progress

The UK government recognises that cannabis-based medicines could benefit children with epilepsy, but more robust effectiveness and safety data is required before the products can become widely available.…

Government proposes ban on sale of energy drinks to children

The government wants to ban the sale of energy drinks to children in England on the grounds that they can damage their health.…

RPS calls for crackdown on e-cigarette liquids resembling children’s foods

The US Food and Drug Administration has succeeded in stopping US online retailers providing nicotine-containing e-liquids with labelling or advertising that resemble child-friendly food products but UK firms are continuing to sell them.…

Bawa-Garba wins appeal to be reinstated to medical register

A paediatric trainee who was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after the death of a six-year-old boy from sepsis has won her appeal to be reinstated to the medical register and continue to practise as a doctor.…