Comments for Paediatric Pearls

Comment on January GP edition here! by Julia

Julia — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Asthma UK have changed their website. The animated demo on how to use your inhaler and spacer devices is at http://www.asthma.org.uk/how-we-help/teachers-and-healthcare-professionals/health-professionals/interactive-inhaler-demo/ now.

Comment on January ED version of Paediatric Pearls newsletter by Julia

Julia — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:15:57 +0000

Comment on Metabolic website by Rupa Vora

Rupa Vora — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:04:53 +0000

http://www.clinbiochem.info/ammonia.pdf

this is a useful site I have found for exam revision , with an easy-to-follow flow chart too!

(ST1 Paeds)

Comment on Welcome to Paediatric Pearls! by Julia

Julia — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:19:26 +0000

Thank you for your kind comment. I will add you to my mailing list for the newsletters. You could follow us on Twitter too if you are into that sort of thing. I don’t tweet very often but do tend to say something when I have just uploaded a newsletter.
Julia

Comment on Welcome to Paediatric Pearls! by Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:54:20 +0000

Hi,
This website is brilliant. I’m not entirely sure how I found it!

If there’s a mailing list around for people who receive the monthly digests or reminders to check here I’d love to be added on it…I always forget to check back on wesites regularly!

Thank you!

Charlotte

Comment on Welcome to Paediatric Pearls! by radha

radha — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:16:29 +0000

the neurodevelopment series is a very useful document for practitioners .esp useful to compare with normal children.
thank u n Mr Barry for info on blounts vs rickets .
great work !!

Comment on Down’s syndrome pathways by Paola Mirto

Paola Mirto — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:17:46 +0000

In Waltham Forest we have a local pathway which is based on the recommendations of the DSMIG (Down’s Syndrome Medical Interest Group) and adjusted according to our local resources. Children with Down’s Syndrome are seen in the Child Development Clinic and a number of professionals are usually involved, including specialist nurse, physiotherapist, SALT, community paediatrician, audiologist, orthoptist and educational psychologist. There is an initial assessment with the multidisciplinary team usually at the age of 3 months, and annual follow up with the community paediatrician throughout childhood. Parents may be referred to the geneticist for genetic counselling if they wish. General health, growth, development, vision, hearing and thyroid function test are routinely checked. There is a monthly playgroup for children with Down’s syndrome based at Wood Street Health Centre.

It should be noted that people with Down’s Syndrome are at increased risk of developing a number of medical problems such as thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, coeliac disease, constipation, obstructive sleep apnoea, cervical spine instability, haematological disorders, cardiac conditions, hearing impairment, visual difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders. If a specific medical issue arises the child should be referred to the appropriate specialist service.

Transition to adult care is often problematic as there is no equivalent service for adults. The GP is likely to take over the ongoing care, together with adult specialists as required. School leavers can be referred to the adult learning disability service.

In terms of education, children with Down’s Syndrome usually attend mainstream school, but will require specific support. Notification to the educational department is usually done at the age of 2 years.

Dr Paola Mirto
Consultant community paediatrician
NELFT

Comment on Welcome to Paediatric Pearls! by Matthew Barry

Matthew Barry — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:00:38 +0000

It would be very bad luck for a child to have both rickets and Blount’s disease. Assuming the Ricketts is being treated, improvement in the defmormity can be expected although it may be slow. In contrast, Blounts tibia vara usually gets progressively worse. Perhaps observe the child for 3 or 4 months and see if they are getting better or worse. Radiologically the two conditions are very different and so an xray will almost certainly be able to differentiate the 2 conditions. If the varus deformity is secondary to ricketts, I would follow the child up until the limb alignment has corrected. If it is Blounts and getting worse, then referral to a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon would be appropriate.

Mr Matthew Barry
Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal London Hospital

Comment on Snoring children by Julia

Julia — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:40:41 +0000

Thank you for your comment. I am going to ask Sam Jayaraj to answer your question if I may.

Comment on Welcome to Paediatric Pearls! by Julia

Julia — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:35:43 +0000

Good to hear from you Radha. I hope India is suiting you. Interesting to see the pathology is similar in some ways! I am going to ask one of the paediatric orthopaedic surgeons at the Royal London Hospital to answer your question. It seems unfair that children should have both pathologies but if you are in an area of very high rickets prevalence then may be it is possible.

(Comment is with reference to the January 2012 PDF available from the right of the screen.)