In children suspected of having a UTI, what clinical and radiological features diagnoses pylonephritis, and what mode of antibiotic treatment is necessary to produce clinical improvement and avoid chronic renal impairment?

With the publication of the NICE guidance in the UK on the management of UTI in childhood, many paediatricians have been spurred to review their understanding of the evidence underpinning certain aspects of the clinical pathway. more…

Do infants born with an isolated clubfoot (talipes equinovarus) require radiological investigations to rule out congenital hip dysplasia?
You are a neonatal SHO. The midwife asks you to see a term baby who has just been born. She has noticed the baby to have a clubfoot and wants you to examine the baby.Physical examination confirms a clubfoot and there are no other abnormalities. Both hips are stable on clinical examination using the Ortolani and Barlow’s test.

Your registrar asks you to request a hip ultrasound or hip X-ray for this baby to rule out DDH. You are not used to this practice and decide to appraise the evidence behind it. more…

Does oral aciclovir improve clinical outcome in immunocompetent children with primary herpes simplex gingivostomatitis?

A 3 year old previously well boy presents with a fever of 38.6ºc and several ulcers and erosions extending from his lips, along the tongue and cheek, to the back of the throat. The lesions have all appeared within the last 2 days. He has been crying inconsolably over the past 24 hours and is refusing food and drink. Is the use of oral aciclovir is indicated for primary herpes gingivostomatitis in children?

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