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Objective: To assess the utilisation of and funding structure for fertility preservation for children diagnosed with cancer in the UK.Design: Survey of paediatric oncologists/haematologists. Questionnaires were sent electronically with reminder notifications to non-responders.Setting: UK Paediatric Oncology Principal Treatment Centres (PTCs).Participants: Paediatric oncologists/haematologists with an interest in the effects of treatment on fertility representing the 20 PTCs across the UK.Main Outcome Measures: Referral practices, sources and length of funding for storage of gametes or gonadal tissue for children diagnosed with cancer in the preceding 12 months.Results: Responses were received from 18 PTCs (90%) with responses to 98.3% of questions. All centres had referred patients for fertility preservation: ovarian tissue collection/storage 100% (n=18 centres), sperm banking 100% (n=17; one centre was excluded due to the age range of their patients), testicular tissue storage 83% (n=15), mature oocyte collection 35% (n=6; one centre was excluded due to the age range of their patients). All centres with knowledge of their funding source reported sperm cryopreservation was NHS funded. Only 60% (n=9) centres reported the same for mature oocyte storage. Of the centres aware of their funding source, half reported that ovarian and testicular tissue storage was funded by charitable sources; this increased in England compared with the rest of the UK.Conclusions: Inequality exists in provision of fertility preservation for children with cancer across the UK. There is lack of formalised government funding to support international guidelines, with resultant geographical variation in care. Centralised funding of fertility preservation for children and young adults is needed alongside establishment of a national advisory panel to support all PTCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the likely rate of patient randomisation and to facilitate sample size calculation for a full-scale phase III trial of varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) and aciclovir as postexposure prophylaxis against chickenpox in children with cancer.Design: Multicentre pilot randomised controlled trial of VZIG and oral aciclovir.Setting: England, UK.Patients: Children under 16 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer: currently or within 6 months of receiving cancer treatment and with negative varicella zoster virus (VZV) serostatus at diagnosis or within the last 3 months.Interventions: Study participants who have a significant VZV exposure were randomised to receive PEP in the form of VZIG or aciclovir after the exposure.Main Outcome Measures: Number of patients registered and randomised within 12 months of the trial opening to recruitment and incidence of breakthrough varicella.Results: The study opened in six sites over a 13-month period. 482 patients were screened for eligibility, 32 patients were registered and 3 patients were randomised following VZV exposure. All three were randomised to receive aciclovir and there were no cases of breakthrough varicella.Conclusions: Given the limited recruitment to the PEPtalk2 pilot, it is unlikely that the necessary sample size would be achievable using this strategy in a full-scale trial. The study identified factors that could be used to modify the design of a definitive trial but other options for defining the best means to protect such children against VZV should be explored.Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN48257441, EudraCT number: 2013-001332-22, sponsor: University of Birmingham. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the variation in the current UK management strategies for the treatment of febrile neutropenia in childhood. Design and setting: A postal survey of all 21 United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) centres assessing and collating local policies, protocols or guidelines relating to the management of febrile neutropenia. Further direct contact was undertaken to clarify any uncertainties. Results: All 21 centres provided information. The policies used to manage febrile neutropenia in the centres around the UK vary in almost every aspect of management. Definitions of fever ranged from a persistent temperature of >37.5°C to a single reading of >39°C. Neutropenia was inconsistently defined as an absolute neutrophil count of <1 ×109, <0.75×109 or <0.5×109. Choices of antibiotic approaches, empirical modifications and antistaphylococcal treatment were different in each protocol. The use of risk stratification was undertaken in 11 centres, with six using a policy of reduced intensity therapy in low risk cases. Empirical antifungal treatment was very poorly described and varied even more widely. Conclusions: There was a great deal of variation in definitions and treatment of febrile neutropenia in the UKCCSG children's cancer treatment centres. A degree of variation as a result of local microbiological differences is to be expected, but beyond this we should seek to standardise the core of our approach to defining fever and neutropenia, risk stratification and duration of empirical therapy in a way that maintains safety, minimises resource utilisation and maximises quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 1 in 715 young adults is a survivor of childhood malignancy, but these individuals are at increased risk of considerable treatment-related morbidity or even mortality. A recent study suggests that at least 60% have one or more chronic health problems, whilst about 20% have three or more. The principle goal of long-term follow-up (LTFU) of survivors is to decrease the severity of late treatment complications by performing appropriate surveillance to detect incipient toxicity, and by facilitating timely diagnosis and management of emerging or established late adverse effects. The content of LTFU is dictated by the type and amount of treatment for the malignancy, and has been defined in recent clinical guidelines. Moreover, LTFU allows provision of survivor education, psychosocial support and health promotion advice. However, considerable variation exists in how LTFU is performed, with several alternative models involving a range of professionals in a variety of locations, depending on numerous clinical and organisational factors. There is increasing utilisation of multidisciplinary teams, and recognition of the importance of effective transition strategies whereby care is transferred to more age-appropriate providers, usually after a period of joint care in adolescence. It is of paramount importance to ascertain and meet the needs of survivors themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Neutropenic sepsis: prevention and management of neutropenic sepsis in cancer patients" that was published by the organization National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) of England in September 2012.

The article presents the authors' response to comments on their article related varicella post-exposure prophylaxis in children with cancer.

As blood clots commonly occur in the lumens of paediatric haemodialysis central-venous lines, they must be routinely aspirated before use to prevent pulmonary emboli. The smaller diameter lines used for parenteral nutrition and cancer chemotherapy are seldom managed this way. We looked for clots formed when children undergoing cancer chemotherapy had their heparin-locked central lines accessed, and compared with the lines of children undergoing haemodialysis. Patients undergoing haemodialysis had clots aspirated on 83% of occasions, and each child had clots at least once. Clots also occurred in the smaller lines, but they were less frequent (64%, p=0.01), and had a lower median weight than those in dialysis lines (14.1 v 25.2 mg, p=0.01). When small diameter central lines are used without initial aspiration, small pulmonary emboli are likely to occur, but are unlikely to be individually clinically important. Daily use, as with long-term parenteral nutrition, might result in >3 g of clot being embolised annually. Consideration should be given to aspirating all paediatric central lines before use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the likelihood of evaluating distal renal tubular function in children using the pH and osmolality of early morning urine. Reference ranges for pH and osmolality; Previous study on urinary concentration in children.