Report: Feasibility for developing a child death review database

This 18-month feasibility study was funded by NHS England, commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), and ran from January 2015 to July 2016. It was designed to specify the key elements required for a sustainable, national information system to collect information from the Child Death Reviews which are carried out in England by Child Death Overview Panels (CDOPs) and from the Child Death Review process currently being developed in Scotland. It was delivered by the University of Oxford, The National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) & University of Leicester.

Read it here

Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood: multi-agency guidelines for care and investigation

These new guidelines have been published by a multi-agency working group convened by The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). They provide a protocol for the handling of sudden infant death, make recommendations to each profession and outline best practice for each part of the investigation process.

http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news/new-guidelines-investigation-sudden-unexpected-death-infancy-launched

RCPCH responds to sugary drinks levy draft legislation

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Responding to the publication, Dr Max Davie, Assistant Officer for Health Promotion for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), said:

“After years of campaigning we are very pleased to see Government moving forward with this draft legislation.

“The sugary drinks that will be affected by this tax have no nutritional benefit and often contain levels of sugar that are above a child’s daily recommended limit…”

Published by Royal College of Paediatrics and child Health, December 5th 2016

Public Health England reports: Improving the mental health of children and young people

Image Source: Public Health England

These reports describe the importance of mental health and wellbeing among children and young people and the case for investment in mental health. They also summarise the evidence of what works to improve mental health among children and young people in order to inform local transformation of services.

Public Health England, 6th December 2016

Cochrane Review: Drug interventions for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents

This systematic review is part of a series of associated Cochrane reviews on interventions for obese children and adolescents and has shown that pharmacological interventions (metformin, sibutramine, orlistat and fluoxetine) may have small effects in reduction in BMI and bodyweight in obese children and adolescents. However, many of these drugs are not licensed for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents, or have been withdrawn.

Cochrane Library, 29th November 2016

Nasal infantile hemangiomas develop most complications

Thirty-five children (39%) developed one or more complications at some time during follow-up, including airway compromise, compression, or functional impairment; lesion ulceration; visual obstruction or ocular compression; and infection.

Paediatric News, December 7, 2016

‘I have to live with the decisions I make’: laying a foundation for decision making for children with life-limiting conditions and life-threatening illnesses

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In this article we lay out factors that bear on the success of clinical consultations and the maintenance of the essential clinician–parent relationship at progression or deterioration of life-limiting conditions or life-threatening illnesses.

Archives of Diseases in Children, 5th December 2016 (Open Access).

NICE guidance: End of life care for infants, children and young people with life-limiting conditions: planning and management

This guideline covers the planning and management of end of life and palliative care in for infants, children and young people (aged 0–17 years) with life-limiting conditions. It aims to involve children, young people and their families in decisions about their care, and improve the support that is available to them throughout their lives.

NICE Guidance NG61, published 7th December, 2016