Abstract
Meeting Report
President, Glasgow University Paediatrics Society, Glasgow, UK
The National Undergraduate Paediatrics Conference was held at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children on the 8–9 March 2014. Hosted by Jane Hamilton (Co-President), Stephanie Potts (Co-President) and the rest of the Glasgow University Paediatrics Society (Figure 1) committee, the conference was the first of its kind in Scotland and was attended by students from all over the UK, including Edinburgh, St Georges, Cambridge and Keele. The overall theme was ‘Care of the Whole Child’ which focused not only on medical and surgical aspects of paediatric care but also on psychiatry, child protection, careers and paediatrics abroad, providing delegates with a well-rounded, holistic view of the child. There was also an opportunity for undergraduates to showcase their medical research, and numerous posters were on show throughout the event. The conference began with an address from the Honorary President of Glasgow University Paediatrics Society, Professor Robert Carachi, who introduced the world of paediatrics and paediatric research to delegates. Key Note Speaker Dr Ranj Singh (Accident and Emergency Medicine ST and CBeebies ‘Get Well Soon’ Presenter) then opened the conference with a gentle and inspirational talk entitled ‘Why Paediatrics?’ This tested how well delegates knew the names of children's cartoons, to why paediatrics is a brilliant speciality. The ‘Acute Paediatrics’ section began with a general case overview from Dr Ian Hunter (General Paediatrics, Wishaw General Hospital) focusing on important cases for exams, followed a brilliant talk from Dr Joanne Stirling (A&E Consultant, Yorkhill) outlining how to recognise a sick child. ‘Child Protection – Are we doing enough?’ was the title of the following debate, which was explored by Dr Allyson Ramsay (Community Paediatrician), Dr Laura Somerville (GP Specialist), Dr Kerry Milligan (GP Specialist) and Dr Helen Mactier (Consultant at the Princess Royal Maternity). Following this, Dr Cathy Leighton (CAMHS) took delegates through Paediatric Mental Health and signs to look out for. To start off the second day, FY1 Dr Louise Murchison took delegates through ‘A Career in Paediatrics’ – giving a clear insight into what to do in medical school applications, the foundation programme, research and so on. Following this, the rest of the morning consisted of Paediatric Intensive Care (Dr Neil Spenceley – PICU Consultant, RHSC Glasgow), Surgery (Mr Haytham Kubba – ENT Consultant, RHSC Glasgow) and Anaesthetics (Dr Ross Fairgrieve, RHSC Glasgow), all of whom gave insightful topics exploring the world away from paediatric medicine and towards intensive care and surgery. Dr Ian Laing (President of the Scottish Paediatric Society) then gave an insightful introduction to the Scottish Paediatric Society, followed by a harrowing talk on Neonatal Ethics. Dr Chris Hasley (Haematology Consultant, RHSC Glasgow) followed this by taking delegates through ‘Paediatric Haematology and Oncology’. To finish off the conference, Dr Dierdre Lynch took delegates through her time spent working with Medecins Sans Frontieres in South Sudan, giving an insight into paediatric care in developing countries. The whole weekend went exceptionally well, and we are delighted that, according to feedback, delegates found the weekend insightful, enjoyable and helpful. Next year we will also be including a range of ‘workshops’ in the conference including CPR, ethics and intubation. As a committee, we would like to thank all of our speakers and generous sponsors, and we would like to especially give thanks to our Honorary President Professor Robert Carachi and the Education Department at Yorkhill Hospital for all of their kind help and support. The winning abstract from our conference focused on sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, by Edinburgh Medical Student, Jennifer Hendry.
The Glasgow University Paediatrics Society.
Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS): diagnostic yield of comprehensive clinical evaluation of paediatric first-degree relatives
1Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases Unit, Department of Cardiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK
2Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Italy
3Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, USA
4Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, UK
Abstract Background
Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) describes the sudden death of a previously healthy individual, with no cause identified on post mortem. A large proportion of SADS cases are thought to be attributable to inherited cardiac disease. Previous studies of adult populations have identified evidence of a heritable cardiac condition in up to 53% of families; however, prevalence of data within paediatrics is more limited. The aim of this study was to determine the yield of extensive clinical screening in children attending Great Ormond Street Hospital, referred due to a history of SADS or aborted cardiac arrest (ACA) in a first-degree relative.
Methods
Retrospective evaluation of children attending family screening after sudden cardiac death or ACA in a family member was performed and strict inclusion criteria employed. Comprehensive assessment of patients included clinical examination, family history, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, 24-hour tape and signal-averaged electrocardiogram; older children also underwent exercise testing, cardiac MRI and ajmaline-provocation test.
Results
The study included 110 children in total from 63 families. In 10 children from 9 families, an inherited cardiac disease was diagnosed (14.3%). Specifically, seven patients were diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, two with long QT syndrome and one with catelcholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Conclusion
The results demonstrate a high prevalence of heritable cardiovascular disease after screening of children at risk due to a history of SADS in first-degree relatives. This emphasises the importance of ongoing screening in this population to ensure early diagnosis, appropriate management and prevention of sudden cardiac death.