Paediatrics

Magnet ingestion in children in the United Kingdom: a national prospective observational surveillance study (2025)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Neville J.J.; Lyttle M.D.; Messahel S.; Parkar S.; Mytton J.; Hall N.J.; Brooker H.; Varnam R.; Putt-Willis D.; Smith M.; Smith L.; Yusuf I.; Dean N.; Patel D.; Rahman M.; Vooght E.; Parveen R.; Shirley-Mansell L.; Cresner R.; Cromarty T.; Broomfield R.; Bayreuther J.; Bethell G.; Major C.; Barling J.; Wilson V.; Maney J.; Wilson K.; Ratnaraj D.; Divakaran D.; Hickey J.; Ranasinghe D.; Foster A.; Martin B.; Walker R.; Jones C.; Soans E.; Monk A.; Rahman A.; Tambudze K.; Hopgood D.; Downes A.; Nasreen T.; Preskey S.; Long J.; Adamson J.; Henderson R.; Andreassen H.; Chadwick H.L.; Towart G.; Abdelhafiz K.; O'Connor E.; Carlyle D.; Tubman L.; Wallace K.; Mohamed A.; Siner S.; Fissler S.; Mcleish S.; Tolhurst-Cleaver M.; Fletcher S.; Russell M.; Winrow K.; Taylor J.; Armitage A.; Geoghegan K.; Buckle R.; Wood S.; Tremarco L.; Collins V.; Egginton D.; Simpson G.; Dowsett S.; Djendow F.; Jarman H.; Edyta K.; Dotchin M.; Potter S.; Kamaraj K.; Fagelnor A.; Dadnam C.; Shafiq A.; Lewis S.; Zarifa I.; Craigie R.; Aldridge P.; Veeraragavan N.; Haslam Z.; Carney A.; Rimmer G.; Jones S.; Richardson S.; Riddick L.; McCourt E.; Azad-Karim A.; Quigley K.; Yassin S.; Merrick V.; Salter R.; Yoshida R.; Bass J.; Vincent E.; Healy C.; Jones E.; Ball E.; Azam A.; Ryan E.; Bedoya S.; Keers S.; Blaney E.; Peacock P.; Hartshorn S.; Cash V.; Snelson E.; Coles V.; Stacey A.; Zuhairy S.; Chandler L.; Pinedo J.; Bradley A.; Gate V.; *Sanlon N.; *Juttiga U.; *Marsh A.; *Okeke C.; *Ali N.; Ramlakhan S.; Subramanian T.; Haffenden V.; Obire J.; Hartin D.; Darlow N.; Beeby D.; Francis R.; Basu S.; Saxena A.; Jeropoulos R.; Hegan A.; Browning J.; Craven E.; Foster S.;

Citation:

Archives of Disease in Childhood. (no pagination), 2025. Article Number: archdischild-2024-328195. Date of Publication: 2025. [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:

Objective: Magnet ingestion in children and young people (CYP) is associated with significant harm. We aimed to describe the incidence, circumstances and outcomes of magnet ingestion in CYP in the United Kingdom (UK). Design(s): Prospective multicentre observational surveillance study. <br/>Setting(s): UK secondary and tertiary level hospitals in urban and rural settings. Patient(s): CYP <=16 years of age who ingested >=1 magnet. Intervention(s): Data were collected regarding demographics, circumstances surrounding ingestion, clinical features and management. The primary outcome was the incidence of magnet ingestion in the UK. Result(s): Between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, 366 cases of magnet ingestion were recorded, of which 314 met eligibility (median age 8.7 years (IQR 5.1-12.0)). The incidence of magnet ingestion in the UK was at least 2.4/100 000 (95% CI 2.2 to 2.7) CYP per year. CYP sourced magnets from toys (38%), and magnet products were predominantly purchased by parents or caregivers (19%). Magnet-related injuries occurred in 23 (7%) cases, and surgery was undertaken in 32 (10%). Single magnet ingestions did not cause magnet-related injury. Swallowing greater numbers of magnets associated with an increased risk of injury (OR 1.1 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.2), p=0.002). CYP were asymptomatic in 75% of cases, but clinical features on presentation were associated with an increased risk of injury (OR 3.8 (95% CI 1.4 to 10.3), p=0.008). Conclusion(s): While magnet ingestion in children is uncommon, ingestion of multiple magnets can cause injuries requiring surgery. Greater public and clinician awareness of the associated risks is warranted. This study can inform public health interventions and evidence-based guidelines.

DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-328195

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Glycerol intoxication syndrome in young children, following the consumption of slush ice drinks (2025)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Brothwell, Shona Lc; Fitzsimons, Patricia E; Gerrard, Adam; Schwahn, Bernd C; Stockdale, Christopher; Bowron, Ann; Anderson, Mark; Hart, Claire E; Hannah, Romanie; Ritchie, Francesca; *Deshpande, Sanjeev A; Sreekantam, Srividya; Watts, Gemma; Yap, Sufin; Mundy, Helen; Veiraiah, Aravindan; Collins, Abigail; Cozens, Alison; Morris, Andrew A; Crushell, Ellen.

Citation:

Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2025 Mar 11. [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Slush ice drinks are commonly available refreshments, aimed at children and young people. Glycerol is used to maintain the slush effect in the absence of a high sugar content.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of children who became acutely unwell shortly after consuming a slush ice drink; their presentation mimics specific inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs).

METHODS: A retrospective case review of 21 children who presented to centres across the UK and Ireland from 2009 through 2024 was carried out.

RESULTS: Almost all of the children (93%) became unwell within 60 min of slush ice drink consumption. None had any relevant past medical history. The median age at presentation was 3 years 6 months (range 2 years – 6 years 9 months). Presenting features include acute decrease in consciousness (94%), hypoglycaemia (95%), metabolic (lactic) acidosis (94%), pseudohypertriglyceridaemia (89%) and hypokalaemia (75%). Glyceroluria was present in all acute urine organic acid samples. No underlying IMD was found in the 14 patients who underwent further enzymatic or genetic testing. The majority (95%) subsequently avoided slush ice drinks and did not have reoccurrence.

CONCLUSION: Consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol may cause a clinical syndrome of glycerol intoxication in young children, characterised by decreased consciousness, hypoglycaemia, lactic acidosis, pseudohypertriglyceridaemia and hypokalaemia. This mimics inherited disorders of gluconeogenesis and glycerol metabolism. Clinicians and parents should be alert to the phenomenon, and public health bodies should ensure clear messaging regarding the fact that younger children,
especially those under 8 years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

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Evaluating the lasting effects of teaching sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood (SUDIC) through simulation (2023)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):Layman S.; Beatty C.; Williams C.; *Belfitt A.; Copeman A.

Citation:Archives of Disease in Childhood. Conference: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Conference, RCPCH 2023. Glasgow United Kingdom. 108(Supplement 2) (pp A276-A277), 2023. Date of Publication: July 2023.

Abstract:Objectives Paediatricians play a vital role in managing and facilitating investigations in sudden unexpected death in infancy or childhood (SUDIC). SUDIC is a rare occurrence, and many paediatric trainees and consultants have very little experience of the process. The SUDIC simulation course was created due to recommendations by The Kennedy Report. The aim of the course was to bridge the gap between knowledge and clinical experience for senior paediatric trainees and consultants in the West Midlands in managing SUDIC. To assess the longevity of learning from the course, a survey was disseminated to all previous candidates. Its aim was to understand how important the simulation course had been in improving paediatricians' confidence and understanding of the SUDIC process when they were involved in a SUDIC after attending the course. Methods Candidate sign-in sheets were retrospectively reviewed for the 17 SUDIC courses run since January 2016. 195 previous candidates were invited to complete a survey via email. Our aim was to evaluate how the course had impacted subsequent experience of the SUDIC process. Specific questions were included to assess how confident candidates had been in various roles in the SUDIC process using a combination of multiple-choice, free-text, and Likert scales. Results 43% of respondents had been a senior paediatric registrar when they attended. Other candidates were consultants, nurses, or more junior paediatricians. 43% had attended between 1-5 SUDIC events since the course, with 4% having attended more than 10. 47% had been involved in examining the body. 40% involved in an unsuccessful resuscitation and SUDIC investigations, and 43% explained the SUDIC process to bereaved parents. 100% agreed that the course had improved their confidence in explaining the SUDIC process, taking a SUDIC history and performing SUDIC investigations. 94% felt confident in contributing to the child death process with 89% feeling confident in examining the body. Candidates particularly valued the multi-professional approach to the course, especially working with police officers. With further thematic analysis of free text responses, candidates most often reported lasting benefits to supporting and communicating with the family, and understanding the practicalities of the SUDIC process. Conclusion Participation in a SUDIC simulation course is an important educational experience, which continues to be relevant to participants and their clinical practice many years after they have attended. Our survey suggests that simulation-based education is an excellent modality to facilitate learning around the SUDIC process for paediatricians and other health professionals involved.

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Improved efficiency and safety ED Paediatric Storeroom (2022)

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Type of publication:
Service improvement case study

Author(s):
*Abi Kelly (Sister) and *Pauline Roberts (Housekeeper)

Citation:
SaTH Improvement Hub, September 2022

Abstract:
The ED Paediatric is a new facility and the storeroom is small and requires 5s intervention as the storeroom is often cluttered, making it difficult to maintain IPC standards, while at the same time, maintaining a safe working environment. To be successful, it will be necessary to involve EDC operators, HCAs, Nursing Staff and Housekeepers.

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Improve completion of Fluid and Solid balance charts in Paediatrics PRH (2023)

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Type of publication:
Service improvement case study

Author(s):
*Aisha Noor (FY1) *Farhah Anuar (FY1)

Citation:
SaTH Improvement Hub, March 2023

Abstract:
To improve completion of Fluid balance charts for Paediatric patients at PRH by 30% by 06th May 2023.

Link to PDF poster [no password required]

All sleep and no play? An audit and service evaluation of children undergoing radiological imaging (2022)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Muneer K.

Citation:
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Conference: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Conference, RCPCH 2022. Liverpool United Kingdom. 107(Supplement 2) (pp A120-A121), 2022. Date of Publication: August 2022.

Abstract:
Aims The use of sedation in children for radiological imaging is common practice in Paediatrics. However, the risks need to be weighed against the benefits of imaging under sedation. Play therapy has been considered as an alternative to sedation in a cooperative child. This study explored the safety, efficacy and adherence of practice to local trust guidelines for sedation of children (derived from the NICE Sedation under 19s guidelines) and highlighted play therapy as a potential alternative for selected children requiring radiological imaging. Methods Data was gathered retrospectively from a 6 month period with the help of the Trust's medical records department. There were 36 children who underwent sedation for various imaging modalities and 19 children who had imaging done utilising play therapy over the same period. The information gathered from the resources used was collated in an excel database for the purpose of comparative analysis. Results 1. The assignment of patients was based on their clinical presentation, urgency and medical background 2. Children receiving sedation were predominantly below the age of 3 years while those in the play group were between 6-9 years 3. The youngest child to receive sedation was 3 months old and the youngest to have successful MRI using play therapy was 3 years 5 months 4. The success rate of Sedation was 92% vs. 86% for play therapy 5. 83% underwent MRI, 11% DMSA and 6% MAG3 under sedation. 95% had MRI and 5% CT in the play group 6. 14% required a repeat dose of medication for sedation 7. None had complications secondary to sedation 8. One had MRI Head done under sedation and later MRI Spine successfully under play therapy at 3 years 5 months 9. Where all documents were available for analysis, the adherence to local guidelines for sedation was 100% Conclusion 1. Sedation is a safe and effective option available in a DGH setting for young children needing relatively urgent radiological imaging to establish diagnosis where the benefits generally outweigh the risks. 2. Play therapy is a suitable alternative for cooperative children who can be adequately prepared. 3.Healthcare teams and parents need to be made more aware of these options in the future.

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