{"title":"A struggle for all: findings of a qualitative study on nasogastric tube insertion in children.","authors":"Jo Vrancken, Ine Achten, Piet Leroy","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1556","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1556","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nasogastric tube insertion (NGTI) is one of the most uncomfortable medical procedures. Discomfort, pain and distress in children undergoing NGTI remain significant challenges and there is limited research into effective comfort strategies for this patient group.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate the challenges and complexities of NGTI in children under the age of ten years and develop recommendations on mitigating procedural distress and trauma by examining the beliefs, attitudes and experiences of healthcare professionals and parents.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative research methodology was used involving guided discussions with two focus groups of seven and nine participants, respectively. Data analysis was performed using inductive latent content analysis.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>NGTI commonly caused distress to all involved - children, parents and healthcare professionals. There was a lack of consensus and consistency in NGTI practices and a range of contextual barriers to improving the care of children undergoing the procedure. Four guiding principles for improving NGTI practice emerged: critically questioning the necessity and timing of NGTI; taking the time to develop and apply an individually tailored approach; ensuring child-friendly conditions and working as a team to implement comfort strategies; and conducting post-procedure team debriefing and reflection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a need for a holistic approach to NGTI that includes dialogue between all involved, the development of evidence-based guidelines and comprehensive training in technical delivery and comfort strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"12-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145233430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shannon Cresham Fox, Takawira Marufu, Rachel Boardman, Joseph Manning
{"title":"Risk factors and nursing interventions for non-traumatic fractures in neonates and children: a systematic review with narrative synthesis.","authors":"Shannon Cresham Fox, Takawira Marufu, Rachel Boardman, Joseph Manning","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1574","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1574","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-traumatic (unexplained) fractures in neonates and children are often detected incidentally and present considerable diagnostic complexity. Nurses have a central role in early recognition, prevention and safe care, yet the synthesis of risk factors and nursing management is limited. This review aimed to synthesise evidence on risk factors for non-traumatic fractures in neonates and children and on the nursing management interventions reported to mitigate risk and improve outcomes. Nine studies were reviewed, including two quality improvement (QI) projects undertaken in neonatal intensive care units. Four main risk factor themes emerged from content analysis and narrative synthesis analysis - prematurity and low birthweight, comorbidities, medicines and nutrition - with additional influences from sex and maternal characteristics. Synthesis of the nursing interventions in the two QI projects identified that a multidisciplinary approach to screening, nutritional optimisation, staff education and 'handle with care' signage reduced non-traumatic fracture rates. Non-traumatic fracture risk in neonates and children is multifactorial, with nursing evidence concentrated in neonatal settings. Nurse-led screening and prevention protocols are research priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147272323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing empathy for parents through the use of infant simulation dolls.","authors":"Julia Petty, Lisa Whiting, Sheila Roberts","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1570","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1570","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The use of simulation can be effective in developing empathy in nursing students. This is particularly valuable in children's nursing where caring for the emotional needs of parents is a fundamental aspect of learning.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the use of infant simulation dolls by students undertaking a BSc (Hons) nursing (child) programme in one university in England, and to assess their value in simulation-based learning and in students' development of empathy with the parenting experience.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Thirty-seven first-year students were each provided with an infant simulation doll to care for at home for one week. Following completion of the simulation experience, 18 students completed an online survey comprising closed questions with free-text space for expanding on their answers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed thematically.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Five themes emerged: practical use of the doll; views and value of the experience; preparation for and relevance to clinical placement practice; development of empathy for parents; and ideas for other potential uses. Overall, the respondents reported that the simulation experience was positive and provided them with a greater understanding of the demands and emotional toll of parenting. Some respondents highlighted technical challenges with the software and the limited realism of infant simulation dolls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Infant simulation dolls can enhance empathy and reflective learning in children's nursing students, supporting family-centred practice and complementing traditional educational approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146143800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical management of acute post-operative bladder spasm in children and young people.","authors":"Rebecca Saul, Kuan Ooi","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute post-operative bladder spasm (APBS) is a painful and distressing condition that commonly occurs in children and young people following urological surgery. Healthcare professionals caring for these patients should anticipate the occurrence of APBS after certain urological surgical procedures and understand how pain caused by APBS differs from general post-surgical pain. This article outlines the incidence, symptoms and pathophysiology of APBS and highlights the importance of a multimodal management strategy involving a range of non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures and interventions. By enhancing their understanding of APBS and its clinical management, children's nurses can alleviate pain and support post-operative recovery for children and young people as well as reduce distress for children and young people and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146046942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nabeel Al-Yateem, Ibraheem Mhaidat, Fatma Ahmed, Heba Khalil, Muhamad Arsyad Subu, Ahmad Rajeh Saifan, Sara Ibrahim Alder'awi, Bushra Abdirizak, Aisha Ammar Qasem, Itaf Elmedorial Awaj
{"title":"Emotional regulation among adolescents and young adults in the United Arab Emirates: social, cultural and technological influences.","authors":"Nabeel Al-Yateem, Ibraheem Mhaidat, Fatma Ahmed, Heba Khalil, Muhamad Arsyad Subu, Ahmad Rajeh Saifan, Sara Ibrahim Alder'awi, Bushra Abdirizak, Aisha Ammar Qasem, Itaf Elmedorial Awaj","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2026.e1572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emotional regulation is central to the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Adaptive coping supports resilience, while maladaptive patterns increase vulnerability. Despite its importance, emotional regulation among young people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is underexplored.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To identify common emotional regulation strategies among adolescents and young adults in the UAE and examine the influence of social, cultural and technological factors on their emotional well-being.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 394 adolescents (11-18 years) and young adults (19-20 years) from schools and universities in three UAE emirates. Respondents completed bilingual questionnaires and scenario-based vignettes, incorporating items from validated tools and custom measures. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most respondents (69-88%) used adaptive coping, although some (12-31%) reported maladaptive responses. Few practised mindfulness (25%) or used digital tools (24%), while 70% reported academic stress, 77% sleep problems, 45% anxiety and 40% sadness. Family support was limited (42%), with peer and school support moderate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Culturally relevant, bilingual interventions integrating school programmes, family engagement and digital tools are needed. Consideration is given to the relevance of these findings in the specific context of the UK.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145953218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiences of cisgender siblings with their transgender siblings: a professional and personal perspective.","authors":"Gemma Trainor, Liberty Heaslip","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1542","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article explores the often-overlooked experiences of cisgender siblings when their sibling undergoes a gender transition. Using a combination of a rapid literature review and the lived experience of a young cisgender sibling, it highlights the emotional, social and familial challenges that can arise during this transition. The sibling relationship is one of the longest and most significant in a person's life, yet research and professional support in this area remain limited. The article outlines a four-stage process through which families typically progress: discovery and disclosure; resulting turmoil; negotiation of the situation; and finding balance and acceptance. It emphasises the critical role of healthcare professionals in providing informed, compassionate and inclusive support to transgender young people and their families. Practical recommendations for nursing practice are provided, including the importance of listening, using appropriate pronouns and facilitating family-centred care. The article concludes with a call for further research and enhanced professional training to support sibling inclusion in transgender healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"26-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144250081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Tatterton, Jane Mulcahy, Nicky Willcox, Michaela Rodgers, Jennifer Raison, Lorraine Watling
{"title":"Overgranulation of stoma sites in children with an enteral feeding tube: an evidence-based treatment pathway.","authors":"Michael Tatterton, Jane Mulcahy, Nicky Willcox, Michaela Rodgers, Jennifer Raison, Lorraine Watling","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1557","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing numbers of babies, children and young people are being fed via surgically placed enteral feeding tubes. A common complication of this intervention is overgranulation of the stoma site, which can cause pain, bleeding and leakage of gastric contents. This article reports the findings of a rapid review, undertaken using a critically appraised topic approach, that aimed to identify the most effective treatment options for overgranulation in this context and to support evidence-based practice. Five treatment options were identified: 'do nothing'; natural therapies; non-steroid treatment; corticosteroid treatment; and surgical or cautery removal. Based on the findings of the rapid review, the authors propose an evidence-based treatment pathway for the management of overgranulation of stoma sites in children with an enteral feeding tube. The pathway aims to enable nurses to apply their clinical judgement in treatment choice in partnership with children and families to support family-centred care.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"12-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A tool to estimate nurse management hours for commissioners of children's continuing care packages.","authors":"Eleanor Pearson","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1549","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Children and young people may be eligible for continuing care at home where their healthcare needs cannot be met solely through existing universal or specialist services. Those assessed as eligible receive a bespoke package of care which may be overseen, managed and coordinated by community children's nursing teams, and which requires a significant amount of nurse management time. This article discusses the provision of continuing care in England and the importance of including adequate nurse management time in commissioned care packages. The author describes the development of a tool by the community children's nursing team in Warwickshire, England, designed to quantify nurse management time based on data from the continuing care assessment decision-support tool, direct care hours and number of competencies required to provide safe care. The outcome, in the form of weekly nurse management hours, is then recommended to commissioners for inclusion in the commissioned care package. Local audit data suggest that the tool can estimate effectively the required number of weekly nurse management hours, particularly for larger care packages. The team has secured positive changes in the commissioning of nurse management time for existing and new patients on its caseload.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"19-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anne-Marie England, Alice Temporin, Vicci Hornsby, Melanie Ritson, Karl Emms, Alison Warren
{"title":"Using the national Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) for England: part 1.","authors":"Anne-Marie England, Alice Temporin, Vicci Hornsby, Melanie Ritson, Karl Emms, Alison Warren","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1544","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The System-wide Paediatric Observation Tracking (SPOT) programme in England aims to improve the recognition of, and response to, deterioration in the health status of children and young people in any healthcare environment. The first phase of the programme involved the development of a standardised inpatient chart and track and trigger system, or Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS), for England. This is the first of two articles that aim to develop nurses' knowledge and understanding of the SPOT programme and the PEWS to assist them in providing safe and effective care to children and young people. This first article describes the assessment, documentation and scoring of a child's vital signs and observations to calculate a PEWS score, which indicates the required escalation level and corresponding actions to take. The article also outlines the assessment and documentation of other important physiological parameters that do not contribute to the PEWS score but inform the escalation level and actions to take.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":"34-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effective child protection practice in England: legislation, barriers and strategies.","authors":"Ciarán Murphy","doi":"10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since 1973, a series of cases of children known to health and social care services who died of abuse and neglect have highlighted repeated failures of public agencies to work together to protect children exposed to intrafamilial harm. Despite child protection systems and procedures designed to facilitate interagency working and the sharing of information, professionals working with children may still not have an adequate understanding of their role in the child protection process. This article explores lessons that can be learned from the past 50 years. It reminds nurses of their child protection responsibilities and provides an overview of key sections of the legislation pertaining to safeguarding and child protection. The article also discusses the barriers nurses typically face when trying to identify and protect children exposed to, or at risk of, neglect and abuse, and strategies they can employ to maintain child-centred practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":38902,"journal":{"name":"Nursing children and young people","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}