What does critical illness feel like to a child? Eimear and her mother Rachel share their experience in a smaccMINI conversation, with written takeaways about fear, clear explanations, the ICU environment and preparing patients and families for recovery and discharge.
Which foreskin concerns reflect normal development, and which need further assessment? In this 2017 paediatric surgery primer, Ross Fisher shares his personal approach to common presentations, including inflammation, phimosis, paraphimosis and problems following circumcision, with an accompanying podcast.
Natalie May’s notes accompanying her 2015 smaccMINI talk explore assessment of the previously well child with altered consciousness. The post covers protecting the brain and organising possible causes through the ‘5MF’ framework, including infection, metabolic illness, medication effects and seizures.
What did the 2016 TARN report reveal about serious childhood injuries in England and Wales? Reviewing data from 2013–2014, this post explores injury patterns, safeguarding concerns and why every emergency department needs to prepare for children arriving outside established trauma pathways.
Emergency Department Management
Recognising possible child abuse is only the start of safeguarding in the emergency department. This 2016 overview explores concerning presentations, listening to children, seeking senior help, sharing information and approaching parents with humility while keeping the child’s safety central.
What should we make of a frightening episode in a baby who now looks well? This 2016 teaching post explores the change from ALTE to BRUE terminology, careful history-taking, alternative explanations and risk assessment, with attention to parents’ concerns and safety-netting.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
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