15 minute consultation

Haematuria can be a troublesome symptom with various different methods of presentation and aetiologies. Microscopic haematuria is a common coincidental finding often found when the patient has presented for another reason. We will discuss the subject of haematuria but will focus the majority of this article on the discussion of microscopic haematuria, including a definition, the important features to cover in the history and examination, aetiologies to suspect in children and infants, and a suggested approach to assessing these patients in secondary care...

Paediatric and adult resuscitation is often performed with family present. Current guidelines recommend deferred umbilical cord clamping as part of immediate neonatal care, requiring neonatal assessment next to the mother. This paper describes strategies for providing care beside the mother using both standard resuscitation equipment and a trolley designed for this purpose.

Monogenic forms of diabetes (historically known as Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)) are caused by single gene mutations inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion that result in reduced pancreatic beta cell function. Children with these forms of diabetes may be misdiagnosed as having type 1 or 2 diabetes, which has important implications for treatment, genetic counselling, screening of family members and prognosis. Useful tools now exist to aid in their diagnosis and management. Here, we attempt to outline the clinical features that will help the physician make the differentiation from other diabetes subtypes...

Liver disease in children can present in many ways from the frequently encountered prolonged neonatal jaundice to the comparatively rare acute liver failure. In this article, we will discuss 'red flags' of liver disease, the initial investigations required and when to refer to a specialist liver centre. Across all presentations, the degree of elevation of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase provides only little diagnostic information. Measurement of clotting is vital, and coagulopathy should be followed by a trial of intravenous vitamin K before being repeated...

Coughing is a primary pulmonary defence mechanism that enhances clearance of secretions and particles from the airways and protects against aspiration of foreign materials. Coughing may affect 30% of children at any given time (1). Many are healthy children but some may have serious underlying disease. Childhood cough accounts for a large number of consultations and 80% of families who are referred to a paediatric respiratory clinic for chronic cough have sought medical advice five times or more (2). The majority of childhood coughs are secondary to an acute respiratory tract infection and will improve once the infection resolves, usually within 1 to 3 weeks...

Feeding a child is an emotive experience. Selective eating (often referred to as fussy eating) is a typical part of early childhood but can cause significant anxiety to parents. This article covers the factors that influence the development of selective eating, the key points to elicit in history and examination, and evidence-based advice for parents.

This article aims to provide a structured and concise guide for the general paediatrician managing a child with hemihypertrophy. Hemihypertrophy is a relatively uncommon condition. The significance is that a proportion of those affected are at risk of developing malignancies in childhood. For these children regular surveillance is required. We have outlined how one might assess and investigate a child presenting with hemihypertrophy. We have also formulated a practicable surveillance strategy which is in line with the current Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) guideline 'Wilms' tumour surveillance in at-risk children'...

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a common chronic disease in children and young people. Living with diabetes can pose many challenges both medical and psychological. Disordered eating behaviours, intentional insulin omission and recognised eating disorders are common among young people with diabetes and are associated with increased risk of short-term and long-term complications and death. Recognition of these behaviours is important to ensure that relevant support is provided. Joint working between diabetes and mental health teams has challenges but is essential to ensure all needs are met during treatment and recovery...

Adverse drug reactions are common in children, but true drug allergy is rare. It can be difficult to determine whether signs such as skin rashes are caused by the underlying illness or medications prescribed. Accurate diagnosis is important for patient safety and optimal treatment. We review the presentation of drug allergy and discuss current management options for children.

Presentation of a child in the A&E with altered behaviour including psychotic features is not unusual. New-onset psychotic symptoms in children pose a significant diagnostic challenge due to several reasons. First, primary psychotic conditions are uncommon in pre-pubertal children. Second, differentiating between delirium and psychosis can be difficult in children, more so in infants, toddlers and young children. Third, intervening and managing a secondary cause of psychosis can significantly optimise outcome...

Children with chronic headache are a common referral to paediatric outpatients. This article suggests an approach to the assessment and management of chronic headaches, offering practical strategies for management as there is limited literature in paediatrics for this.

There is increasing worldwide use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions in paediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D), reflecting recent research outcomes and guidance, as well as families' wishes. Children/young people may present acutely with medical or surgical problems, in addition to issues related to T1D. This review provides general paediatricians with an introduction to pump therapy, highlighting common problems, management issues and when to seek specialist advice.

People are full of useful advice, especially when you make the transition to the senior doctor grade. We present a very helpful model we have used over some time to aid us when we have issues.

It is not unusual to encounter abnormal liver enzyme levels on routine blood tests. When the abnormal elevation in aminotransferases persist, they require prompt and appropriate investigations as liver diseases in children are often insidious in onset and clinically silent. This article aims to provide (1) an explanation to the aetiologies of elevated aminotransferases; (2) an investigational approach to these children and (3) an insight into further investigations performed at a liver centre.

Cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures have saved more lives than any other neurosurgical procedure. However, they do have a unique set of complications which a paediatrician in a district general hospital may encounter. Timely recognition and appropriate referral to the neurosurgeon is vital in order to avoid serious consequences and to have a favourable outcome.

Assessing and managing children who are underweight is an integral part of paediatric practice. Young people with anorexia nervosa (AN) are mainly cared for in the community by specialist eating disorder services. However, increasing numbers require admission to paediatric wards with medical instability due to the complications of starvation. Despite recommendations published in the junior MARSIPAN report in 2012, many paediatricians still feel poorly equipped to care for these high-risk patients. This article aims to provide a safe and structured approach to the assessment and management of children and adolescents with medically unstable AN...

Enterovirus (EV) is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis and has a benign course, unlike EV encephalitis, which can result in long-term neurological sequelae. There are no active treatments or prophylactic agents, and management is purely supportive. Obtaining an EV-positive cerebrospinal fluid result usually allows antimicrobial treatment to be stopped. This review will answer some of the common questions surrounding EV meningitis/encephalitis.

Acute confusional state (ACS) refers to sudden impairment of cognitive function and represents a major medical emergency. The impairment may be global or confined specifically to a particular faculty of higher mental function, such as memory. This review highlights the importance of relevant medical history and clinical signs and symptoms in reaching the correct diagnosis. In this review, we have presented a diagnostic approach to a child presenting with ACS and described commonly encountered causes, their treatments and outcomes...

Perinatal palliative medicine is an emerging subspecialty within paediatric palliative medicine, neonatal medicine, fetal medicine and obstetrics. It comprises patient-focused, non-judgemental shared decision making and aims to provide holistic multidisciplinary support for families. In this paper we define and describe one model for providing perinatal palliative care, drawing on the personal and professional experience of the authors.

Stridor is an abnormal sound caused by turbulent airflow through the airway. In an infant under 3 months of age presenting with stridor, there are many different underlying aetiologies. Some key assessment points help to differentiate those patients who can be reassured and monitored versus those requiring referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon for further assessment or management. We present a structured approach to guide the clinician through initial assessment, examination and management, including referral to ENT surgery...