Royal College Of Paediatrics And Child Health Research Articles

The use of guidelines development standards in recommendations and guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity

Objective: Our publication aimed to identify and present standards and tools implemented in the development of guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: The results were based on complementary data extraction from records identified in the systematic review of the guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity performed in 2022. We examined the type of evidence used to develop the guidelines, the standards followed by authors in developing guidelines, and the system for classifying scientific evidence quality. The identified standards for guideline development were checked for validity and the methodology for assessing scientific evidence and presenting recommendations was described. Results: Our analysis of twenty-three retinopathy of prematurity guidelines uncovered two standards: World Health Organization Handbook and Setting Standards for the Development of Clinical Guidelines in Paediatrics and Child Health by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Only two guidelines from India and Latin America followed the WHO handbook and applied the GRADE system for assessing the quality of evidence and recommendations, while the United Kingdom guidelines adhered to the RCPCH standard and SIGN Grading Hierarchy. Conclusion: Our analysis revealed the need for improvement in the process of creating guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity in most countries. We believe that by raising awareness about the tools available to support authors we are able to spread their use as a standard practice.

Short-term and medium-term clinical outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a prospective observational cohort study

BackgroundEven though the incidence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) is decreasing cases are still reported across the world. Studying the consequences of MIS-C enhances our understanding of the disease’s prognosis. The objective of this study was to assess short- and medium-term clinical outcomes of MIS-C.MethodsProspective observational cohort study at Municipal Children’s Hospital Morozovskaya, Moscow, Russia. All children meeting the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the World Health Organization (WHO) MIS-C case definition admitted to the hospital between 17 May and 26 October 2020 were included in the study. All survivors were invited to attend a clinic at 2 and 6 weeks after hospital discharge.Results37 children median age 6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3.3–9.4), 59.5% (22/37) boys were included in the study. 48.6% (18/37) of patients required ICU care. One child died. All children had increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers during the acute event. Echocardiographic investigations identified abnormal findings in 35.1% (13/37) of children. 5.6% (2/36) of children were presenting with any symptoms six weeks after discharge. By six weeks the inflammatory markers were within the reference norms in all children. The echocardiographic evaluation showed persistent coronary dilatation in one child.ConclusionsDespite the severity of their acute MIS-C, the majority of children in our cohort fully recovered with none having elevated laboratory markers of inflammation at 6 weeks, few (< 10%) reporting persistent symptoms at 6 weeks, and only one with persistent echocardiographic abnormalities.

The Unspeakable Disease: A Tale of Two Siblings

The deficiency of arylsulfatase A due to the mutations in the ARSA gene is the cause of a rare inherited lysosomal storage disease, resulting in the accumulation of sulfatides in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). This, in turn, leads to progressive demyelination, neuro-inflammation, and neurodegeneration, and the accumulation in visceral organs. Affected young children gradually lose the ability to walk, stand, talk, and swallow; they lose their independence and show a steady physical and cognitive regression resulting, ultimately, in their premature death at a younger age. This condition not only devastates young patients, but it also deeply affects their families and carers, both psychologically and economically. In this interview, Simon Jones, Consultant in Paediatric Inherited Metabolic Disease at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, Honorary Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC), and Professor in Paediatrics and Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, UK; Dipak Ram, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) National Training Advisor for Paediatric Neurology, and Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, UK; and Ally Shaw, primary caregiver of the patients mentioned in this article, explore how the disease impacts the normal development of predominantly young patients; consider its subtle evolution; and witness the stressful diagnostic odyssey families are experiencing, often leading to the wrong diagnosis, which is compounded by the lack of a national newborn screening. Jones and Ram speak directly about the diagnosis and management of these patients. This article also includes the experience of a mother of two affected children, one of whom was diagnosed thanks to their affected older sister, who gave the younger child the chance of receiving a timely treatment. In this disease, time is of the essence; often, patients are sadly diagnosed too late, and are destined to palliative care and premature death. It is hoped that this interview and testimony will help raise awareness on this disease, and give a chance to future patients and their families.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and "Near MIS-C": A continuum?

Reports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, have been increasing worldwide, with an incidence varying significantly across studies based on the definition used for the diagnosis. At our tertiary medical center in Lebanon, we encountered several cases that presented a diagnostic challenge because they mimicked MIS-C but did not meet the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition. We decided to review these cases and describe their features in comparison with cases that met the CDC criteria of MIS-C and those that had an alternative diagnosis. This is a retrospective chart review of subjects aged <19 years old admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021, with suspected or confirmed MIS-C, following documented COVID-19 infection, with sufficient or insufficient criteria for diagnosis. Subjects were classified into 3 groups: "MIS-C", "Near MIS-C" and "Alternative Diagnosis". A total number of 29 subjects were included in our cohort. Fever was present in all subjects. In the MIS-C group, evidence for cardiovascular system involvement was the most common feature followed by the mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal systems. In the "Near MIS-C" and "Alternative Diagnosis" group, gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common with only one patient with cardiac abnormalities and none with coagulopathy. Subjects with typical MIS-C presentation had higher inflammatory markers when compared to subjects in the other groups. Almost all the subjects had positive IgG for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 29 subjects, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) case definition would have identified all suspected cases without an alternative diagnosis as MIS-C, whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC definitions would have excluded 6 and 10 subjects, respectively. MIS-C presents a diagnostic challenge due to the nonspecific symptoms, lack of pathognomonic findings, and potentially fatal complications. More research is needed to fully understand its pathogenesis, clinical presentation spectrum, and diagnostic criteria. Based on our experience, we favor the hypothesis that MIS-C has a continuum of severity that necessitates revisiting and unifying the current definitions.

Virtual safety: using online simulation to prepare trainees for their community safeguarding roles

Conducting child protection medical assessments (CPMA) where there are concerns of non-accidental injury (NAI) is a key clinical skill for paediatricians and part of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) curriculum [1]. Child Protection (CP) simulation training was commissioned following trainee feedback around unpreparedness when carrying out CPMA. The COVID-19 pandemic forced delivery of online CP simulation. Initial learners were paediatric trainees; with newly qualified school nursing and health visiting colleagues in subsequent delivery; allowing for multi-professional learning in the simulated environment. The session aims were to: - increase familiarity with professional conversations in the CP context - formulate an evidence-based opinion in cases of suspected NAI - rehearse discussing outcomes of CPMA with parents/carers and social workers We rehearsed, modified, and then, using Zoom as a synchronous platform, with a trained simulated patient (SP) and faculty as role players created three 10-minute community-based CP scenarios for a twice-yearly programme. Pre-course information and a pre-briefing explained the online limitations and opportunities, including how we co-create psychological safety, the option of a wellbeing ‘wobble’ room, also outlining the Diamond debriefing model [2]. Pre- and post-course surveys were sent to the 18 participants. Likert scale ratings on confidence and anxiety levels when approaching a CP medical; familiarity with and likelihood of using the HEADSSS tool [3] was analysed using paired T-test probability. 94% (17/18) had no previous CP simulation experience. Confidence in carrying out CPMA increased post-simulation (p= 0.00418) Anxiety going into the CPMA decreased post-simulation (p=0.00624). 44% were familiar with HEADSSS tool pre-course and 94% were more likely to use it post-course (Likert rating 4or5). Confidence in expressing concerns to parent/carer rose from 11% to 82.3% post-course (Likert rating 4or5). Free text learning points included ‘Use what you can agree on (parent and doctor) as a foundation for developing rapport.’ ‘… very useful in preparation for community.’ ‘… very helpful in giving me more confidence in carrying out medicals.’ ‘Never undertaken a simulation with an actor, it felt real (I was surprised)’, ‘interesting to share learning… as practitioners have different perspectives.’ Despite sensitivity of the subject and the emotive realism brought by the SP’s, psychological safety was achieved in this online interprofessional CP simulation training through detailed preparation in course design and faculty preparedness. The pilot was successful in preparing participants to fulfil their safeguarding role. Online training continues to be a synchronous induction for 2022. 1. RCPCH. Progress curriculum. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2018. 2. Jaye P, Thomas L, Reedy G. The Diamond: a structure for simulation debrief. The Clinical Teacher. 2015; 12(3):171–175. 3. Cohen E, Mackenzie RG, Yates GL. HEADSS, a psychosocial risk assessment instrument: implications for designing effective intervention programs for runaway youth. Journal of Adolescent Health. 1991;12(7):539–44.

The unintended consequences of school closures during COVID-19 on children and young people’s physical health rights -what are they and how can they be mitigated?

ABSTRACT This paper examines the unintended consequences of emergency school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores the impact of these closures on children and young people’s United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and wider physical health rights. It addresses how States Parties should address and balance these rights during a crisis. It then contextualises the school closures, using global data mainly collated by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), exploring the direct health risk to children and young people from COVID-19 and the risk they posed to the wider community, finding both low. It then draws on findings from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Scotland’s COVID-19 Independent Children and Young People’s Rights Assessment (ICRA) and wider literature identifying numerous unintended rights breaches, focusing on the rights breaches experienced by three particularly vulnerable groups of children and young people, namely those (i) at risk of physical or sexual violence; (ii) with additional support needs; and (iii) experiencing poverty and deprivation. Recommendations are made as to how to avoid breaching children and young peoples’ physical health rights in future emergency school closures.

FII and Perplexing Presentations: What is the Evidence Base for and against Current Guidelines, and What are the Implications for Social Services?

AbstractFabricated or induced illness (FII) and perplexing presentations (PPs) are the terms used by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK. FII is presented as if synonymous with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a rare presentation which is now known in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition as factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIoA). However, FII is not a diagnosis, and the definition is far broader than FDIoA. RCPCH admit that there is a limited evidence base for the prevalence, specificity or sensitivity of FII and the associated ‘alerting signs’, and yet local authorities across the UK have Child Protection Policies developed directly from the RCPCH guidelines. An increasing number of families of children with neurodevelopmental presentations (such as autism), or presentations of complex or less well-known conditions such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, are finding themselves being investigated for FII by Social Services, and consequently labelled as potential ‘perpetrators’ of child abuse, on the basis of FII guidelines. The present article discusses the issues relating to FII and PP, how current guidelines are creating implicit and explicit bias against certain kinds of families and the implications for Social Services.

Fatal acute necrotizing pancreatitis in a 15 years old boy, is it multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19; MIS-C?

Acute pancreatitis in childhood is not common and viral and bacterial infections, bile duct diseases, medications, systemic diseases, trauma, metabolic diseases, and hyperlipidemia are among the most common causes in them. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is even rarer. The clinical presentation of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C) includes fever, severe illness, and the involvement of two or more organ systems, in combination with laboratory evidence of inflammation and with or without laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a case of a 15 years old boy with fatal acute necrotizing pancreatitis that fulfilled MIS-C definition based on RCPCH (Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health) and CPSP (Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program) criteria.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a case series

Objective:To describe a case series of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in a pediatric tertiary hospital.Methods:Patients under the age of 18 years who met MIS-C criteria of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) and/or the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) were included. A retrospective analysis was carried out by reviewing medical records and complementary exams.Results:Six pediatric patients with mean age of 126 months were admitted with fever associated with multisystem involvement: all of them had abdominal pain and diarrhea and two underwent appendectomy; 100% had coagulopathy and increased inflammatory markers; 83% had cardiovascular impairment and 60% required vasoactive drugs; 83% had mucocutaneous symptoms and 50% required ventilatory support by invasive mechanical ventilation or non-invasive ventilation. One patient showed coronary artery dilation on echocardiogram. All patients received empiric antibiotic therapies. SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing was positive in five patients. Treatment was performed after excluding infectious causes: five patients (83%) received intravenous immunoglobulin, five patients (83%) pulse methylprednisolone therapy and one (16%) Tocilizumab. One patient died. The average length of stay in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) was seven days.Conclusions:These cases are added to the literature in construction of this emerging condition. Early diagnosis should be considered due to its potential severity.

Improving paediatric flow in an UK Paediatric Assessment Unit

The 2010 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) guidelines for acute paediatric services set standards for time to senior review for paediatric medical admissions in the UK as...

198 A Novel ‘Virtual Simulation’ for The Advanced Life Support Group, Making a Dream a Reality: A Beginner’s Guide

In the UK, it is a requirement for staff involved in paediatric critical care to remain up to date with advanced paediatric life support (APLS). To do so there is an expectation to participate in face-to-face courses on a four-yearly basis. The Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG), an organization dedicated to supporting professional education, sought to add to their resources in line with advances in online capabilities. With stakeholder input, the goal emerged to develop an engaging, interactive and entirely novel educational product. Here we present the pilot stages of our project.The aim of this project was to produce an educationally effective and novel product that learners of APLS would engage with and enjoy.Stage 1 involved determining clearly defined learning objectives mapped to the APLS curriculum. At a round table with stakeholders, educationalists, and a technologist an outline of the project was formed and the scenario of a sick baby with bronchiolitis chosen for a pilot. Informed by literature on serious game design, a branching narrative was created. Stage 2 involved collating resources. A photoshoot at Leicester Royal Infirmary A&amp;E (Accident and Emergency) created a set of images. A video shoot at the Royal London Hospital A&amp;E generated a series of videos. These were then edited and used to create a Microsoft PowerPoint slide set. Voiceovers to text, sound effects to add a hospital atmosphere and questions were then added. Stage 3 involved taking this draft and translating it into an interactive final product utilizing Articulate Software. This enabled its usage across smartphone, desktop, and laptop devices. Testing followed with anonymous online feedback informed by the 7Is framework We launched the pilot version at the RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) Conference 2021. Feedback was collected from delegates and continues to be collected via online participants. It is hoped that ongoing quality improvement cycles will assist in assuring a finished fully functional online virtual advanced paediatric life support simulation for release in 2022. Further stakeholder review is pending. Thus far it has been met with universal approval, i.e. all learners questioned expressed that they would like to utilize this novel style of education again. The average duration to complete the virtual simulation was 15 minutes. All learners rated their knowledge and skills in APLS to be either unchanged/revised or improved. Finally, interactivity online was felt to need improvement by most participants. Interactivity is key if high levels of engagement are to be achieved. Future testing will determine whether any educational impact is maintained across time. The current pilot version can be accessed at the following webpage

CHILD PROTECTION: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHILD PROTECTION: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Challenges of Working with Child Abuse and Neglect: Barriers to Disclosure and Intervention, Adverse Outcomes, and Perplexing Presentations

The Challenges of Working with Child Abuse and Neglect: Barriers to Disclosure and Intervention, Adverse Outcomes, and Perplexing Presentations

6-month multidisciplinary follow-up and outcomes of patients with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS) at a UK tertiary paediatric hospital: a retrospective cohort study

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) is a new, rare, post-infectious complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. We aimed to describe the 6-month outcomes of PIMS-TS. This retrospective cohort study comprised children (aged <18 years) who fulfilled the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) diagnostic criteria for PIMS-TS and were admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital (London, UK) between April 4 and Sept 1, 2020. Patients were followed up by a multidisciplinary team of specialists at 6 weeks and 6 months after admission. Biochemical and functional outcomes were analysed. 46 children were included in this study. The median age at presentation was 10·2 years (IQR 8·8-13·3), 30 (65%) patients were male and 16 (35%) were female, 37 (80%) were from minority ethnic groups, and eight (17%) had pre-existing comorbidities. All patients had elevated markers of systemic inflammation at baseline. None of the patients died. By 6 months, systemic inflammation was resolved in all but one patient. 38 (90%) of 42 patients who had positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies within 6 weeks of admission remained seropositive at 6 months. Echocardiograms were normal in 44 (96%) of 46 patients by 6 months, and gastrointestinal symptoms that were reported in 45 (98%) of 46 patients at onset were present in six (13%) of 46 patients at 6 months. Renal, haematological, and otolaryngological findings largely resolved by 6 months. Although minor abnormalities were identified on neurological examination in 24 (52%) of 46 patients at 6 weeks and in 18 (39%) of 46 at 6 months, we found minimal functional impairment at 6 months (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score 0 [IQR 0-1]). Median manual muscle test-8 scores improved from 53 (IQR 43-64) during hospital admission to 80 (IQR 68-80) at 6 months, but 18 (45%) of 40 patients showed 6-min walk test results below the third centile for their age or sex at 6 months. PedsQL responses revealed severe emotional difficulties at 6 months (seven [18%] of 38 by parental report and eight [22%] of 38 by self report). 45 (98%) of 46 patients were back in full-time education (virtually or face to face) by 6 months. Despite initial severe illness, few organ-specific sequelae were observed at 6 months. Ongoing concerns requiring physical re-conditioning and mental health support remained, and physiotherapy assessments revealed persisting poor exercise tolerance. Longer-term follow-up will help define the extended natural history of PIMS-TS. None.

‘Brain attacks’ and acute stroke in childhood: a practical approach in a time of proposed thrombolysis

<h2>Abstract</h2> Sudden focal neurological symptoms or ‘brain attacks' in children are a common scenario for acute paediatric care givers. A small proportion will have had a vascular stroke. Suspected stroke in adults, signalled by FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test positivity, is an accepted medical emergency. Children are rarely dealt with urgently unless there is coma. Barriers to stroke recognition and response in children are multifactorial. Childhood stroke is rare and may be ‘FAST negative'. Overall, there is low awareness, low clinical suspicion and many logistic obstacles to timely detection and aspired treatment delivery. Yet stroke continues to affect hundreds of children in the UK each year, causing life-changing disability and, in some, death. This article highlights current key recommendations for the diagnosis and management of acute stroke set out in the 2017 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Stroke in childhood guideline. Evidence and rationale are discussed, and important practice points offered. There is focus on arterial ischaemic stroke in light of the proposed hyperacute management pathway, which includes thrombolysis. Ongoing challenges on the ground and how these may be overcome are considered.

Pharmacy group publishes first list of standard IV infusion concentrations for use in children in the UK

A proposal to standardise paediatric intravenous (IV) infusions across the UK has been published by the Neonatal & Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG). The report, which is supported by the joint Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)/NPPG standing committee on medicines, offers the first list of published standard IV infusion concentrations, for use in […]

Pediatric Preparedness of the Emergency Departments.

Emergency departments (EDs) varied in their preparedness to provide pediatric emergency care, with mortality rates being higher when EDs were unprepared. Guidelines are available to aid EDs in their preparedness. We aimed to determine the preparedness of EDs in our healthcare cluster using the guidelines from the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) as references for audit. This was a cross-sectional study involving a pediatric ED and 3 general EDs within a healthcare cluster. A survey was completed by a pediatric representative at each ED who assessed his/her own ED's effort against each recommended standard with reference to calendar year of 2018. The availability of pediatric equipment, supplies, and medications was checked against the items recommended list by the IFEM. The response rate was 100%. The proportion of agreement with reference standards was lower for general EDs (RCPCH: 11.4%-70.0% and IFEM: 39.6%-84.0%) than pediatric ED (RCPCH: 85.7% and IFEM: 91.7%). Unmet standards were predominantly in the categories of management of pediatric patients with complex medical needs, management of pediatric death, adolescents, mental health and substance misuse, protection and safeguarding of pediatric patients, as well as advanced training and research. The proportion of available equipment, supplies, and medications was also lower for general EDs (77.2%-82.0%) than pediatric ED (89.4%). The standards of pediatric emergency care were met to different extents in the healthcare cluster. Using available references, EDs should identify lapses unique to their own settings to improve the delivery of pediatric emergency care.

START – evaluating a novel assessment of consultant readiness in paediatrics: The entry not the exit

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) incepted a new end-of-training assessment in 2012, known as START, the Speciality Trainee Assessment of Readiness for Tenure [as a Consultant]. It is a novel, formative, multi-scenario, OSCE-style, out-of-workplace assessment using unseen scenarios with generic, external assessors undertaken in the trainees’ penultimate training year. This study considers whether this assessment assists in preparing senior paediatric trainees for consultant working. A mixed qualitative and quantitative study in the post-positivist paradigm was designed. Subjects were paediatricians who have taken START and completed their paediatric training. Methods were an on-line questionnaire survey and a key informant interview. The assessment is viewed positively, but some trainees report negative experiences. They find value in the formative feedback which generally helps direct trainees towards focussing their training in their final year before ending their training and consultant appointment. For many respondents, the assessment highlighted areas for further development, was relevant for consultant working and useful for consultant interview preparation. Of least value was travelling, cost, assessor performance, feedback quality, feeling like a summative exam and sub-speciality involvement. Many respondents felt the assessment highlighted areas to develop in their subsequent training. Overall START supports transition to consultant working.

START – introducing a novel assessment of consultant readiness in Paediatrics: the entry not the exit

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) developed a new end-of-training assessment held for the first time in 2012, known as START, the Specialty Trainee Assessment of Readiness for Tenure as a consultant. It is a novel, formative, multi-scenario, OSCE-style, out-of-workplace assessment using unseen scenarios with generic, external assessors undertaken in the trainees' penultimate training year. This paper describes the introduction and structure of this formative assessment. While many other colleges have summative exit exams the inception of this assessment was designed to be formative, providing feedback on consultant-readiness skills, and not a high-stakes hurdle towards the end of training, It was developed from the College's examinations question-setting group and following two pilots in 2009 and 2010, the assessment evolved and the first live diet was held in November 2012.

Case for persuasion in parental informed consent to promote rational vaccine choices

There have been calls for mandatory vaccination legislation to be introduced into the UK in order to tackle the national and international rise of vaccine-preventable disease. While some countries have...