Paediatrics

SSRIs and SNRIs for paediatric psychiatric disorders yield only small benefit over placebo

The placebo effect played a significant role in the efficacy of antidepressants, which are known to be associated with an increased risk of severe adverse events.…

Communicating with parents and involving children in medicines optimisation

Although children take responsibility for taking their medications at different ages, involving parents, and where possible children, in decision making is key to medicines optimisation.…

Childhood obesity rates continue to rise

Obesity rates in reception-age children have risen for the second successive year, and obesity rates are twice as high in year six school children than those in reception, figures published this week have found.…

Pharmacologic treatment options for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric condition that is often associated with severe behavioural challenges that can be as diverse in response to treatment as they are in presentation. While environmental, behavioural, communicative, therapeutic and supportive interventi…

NICE issues new guidance on spotting child neglect or abuse

Pharmacists should look out for potential signs of child neglect, such as parents or carers failing to administer essential prescribed medicine or not taking their child to follow-up appointments, updated guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have said.…

Antibiotics should not be used for childhood ear infections, says NICE

The majority of childhood ear infections should be treated with pain relief rather than immediate antibiotics, according to new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).…

Type 2 diabetes in children and young people: extending our reach to prevent disease in those most at risk

Prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups will avoid catastrophic comorbid consequences. It is essential to use our resources more effectively to identify and help children and young people who are most in danger.…

Children with asthma more likely to be prescribed antibiotics, conference told

Children with asthma are 1.6 times more likely to be prescribed antibiotics than children without the condition, according to the results of a UK and Netherlands study.…

Promoting oral health in the community

Dental caries caused 63,000 children to be admitted to hospital for surgery in 2014. In that year, approximately one-quarter of British five-year-olds suffered with tooth decay and more than one-third of children did not see a dentist[1] ,[2] . Periodontal disease is most common in…

All you need to know about using smart infusion pumps

Smart infusion pumps: implementation, management and drug libraries, 2nd edition, edited by Pamela K Phelps.…