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OBJECTIVES: To describe the biologic treatment regimens and report the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies in a multicentre series of children with primary systemic vasculitis (PSV). METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive case series of children with PSV treated with biologic therapy between February 2002 and November 2007. Primary retrospective outcome assessment measures were: daily corticosteroid dose; Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS); and adverse events (including infection rate). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients median age 8.8 (range 2.4-16) years; 11 male with active PSV (n = 6 with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitides, n = 11 with polyarteritis nodosa, n = 7 with unclassified vasculitis and n = 1 with Behcet's disease) were treated with biologic agents including infliximab (n = 7), rituximab (n = 6), etanercept (n = 4), adalimumab (n = 1) or multiple biologics sequentially (n = 7). Overall, there was a significant reduction in BVAS from a median of 8.5 (range 5-32) at start of therapy to 4 (range 0-19) at median 32 months follow-up (P = 0.003) accompanied by significant reduction in median daily prednisolone requirement from 1 (range 0.2-2) to 0.25 (range 0-1) mg/kg/day, P = 0.000. For those receiving multiple biologic agents sequentially, a similar clinical improvement was observed with corticosteroid sparing. Infections occurred in 24%, the most severe in those receiving infliximab. CONCLUSION: Our data provide retrospective evidence of efficacy of these agents, and highlight the associated infectious complications. Further multicentre standardization of treatment protocols and data collection to inform clinical trials of biologic therapy in systemic vasculitis of the young is required

Pfeiffer-type cardiocranial syndrome (MIM 218450) was first delineated in 1987; several further patients have been reported confirming this as a distinct nosological entity. The aetiology of this condition remains unknown although an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance has been suggested following the description of sib pairs. A patient is described with features of this condition including sagittal suture synostosis, growth retardation, learning difficulties, hypertelorism, low-set ears, micrognathia, congenital heart defects and genital anomalies. Telomere studies on blood and skin samples identified a de novo unbalanced rearrangement resulting in partial monosomy for 1p36.1 to pter and partial trisomy for 17q25.1 to qter. This case provides the first insight into the possible aetiology of this condition.

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used drugs both over the counter and on prescription. Liquid paracetamol is available over the counter all over the world. Most commonly available concentrations are 120 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml. Many parents and healthcare professionals assume that doses available in different countries are similar. However, 500 mg/5 ml bottle is available in some countries including the United Kingdom. This leaves a potential for accidental overdose with therapeutic intent. We have reviewed the experience of diagnosing and managing an interesting case of paracetamol over dosage caused by several ingestions over 24 hours period (staggered paracetamol over dosage). It highlights the importance of communication between health professionals and parents while managing common medical problems.

Cynthia Ruth Woodhall was brought up in the Black Country. After qualifying she undertook basic junior posts, but then specialised in paediatrics, spending an important and formative year in neonatology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After senior registrar training around Manchester, she was appointed to Whiston Hospital in 1986 to augment a team of two consultants. She had, by then, gained a great deal of experience in general paediatrics as well as neonates, with additional important experience in child and adolescent psychiatry, respiratory disease, and gastroenterology; with children with special needs; and, sadly, in child protection too. In total she had spent 10 years in paediatric …

A family is presented in which there were three different chromosome abnormalities in the children although the parents were cytogenetically normal. The proband had the karyotype 46,XX, r(18) (p11q23), a phenotypically normal brother was 47,XY,+mar, and another brother was a typical case of Down's syndrome, karyotype 47,XY,+21. There is nothing in the parents' history that provides grounds for a hypothesis to explain the coincidence of the abnormalities.