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Global best practice guidelines for neonates, children and teenagers

When working in paediatrics, healthcare professionals have to address the needs of two audiences; the patient (child) and the child's family. Addressing the needs of these two groups can be challenging, especially when it comes to stoma care education. To reach both groups effectively, stoma education has to draw on the educational principles for children and those for adults.

Clinical aspects of paediatric stoma care

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Chapter 1 - common pathologies and indications for a stoma and neonates in children

It is important to familiarise yourself with the common pathologies and indications for a stoma in neonates and children, as these are different than in adults. “There has been a decrease in the number of stoma performed in childhood with advances in surgical techniques and single-stage procedures...” (McIltrot, K., 2016. p 174).

Neonatal and Paediatric Surgical Conditions

Dr Stewart Cleeve - Consultant Paediatric Surgeon

This video covers the following conditions.

  • Necrotising Entercolitis (NEC)
  • Hirschsprung Disease (HD)
  • Anorectal Malformations
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Constipation

The types of stomas observed in paediatrics

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Chapter 2

As healthcare professionals, it is important that we are informed about the types of stomas that are observed in children, babies and neonates. The following chart provides examples and descriptions of the types of stomas observed in the paediatric population.

Gail Fitzpatrick - Colorectal nurse specialist

This video covers the following conditions.

  • Pre-operative counselling
  • Toddlers, children, adolescents, parents & grandparents
  • Paediatrics' from tiny babies to 16yr and 18yrs in complex conditions

Skin characteristics of premature neonates, neonates and children

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Chapter 3

When treating the paediatric population, you need to familiarise yourself with the skin characteristics of this group

Neonatal skin conditions

Yvonne Cousins - Neonatal Surgical Nurse Specialist

This video covers the following conditions.

  • The challenges of Neonatal skin
  • Wound healing
  • Sepsis Risk
  • Secondary infections

Stoma site marking

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Chapter 4

Stoma site marking is another important area within paediatric stoma care. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of when such marking is required, and when it is not.

Supporting parents and children following Antegrade Continence Enema procedure (ACE)

Sally Dalton - Paediatric stoma & bowel management CNS

This video covers the following conditions.

  • ACE Stoma
  • Reason for procedure
  • Surgery
  • Medications
  • After care

The basics of stoma care in neonates and children

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Chapter 5

Adult stoma care principles apply to neonates and children. However, special attention should be given to the skin characteristics and body profile of premature neonates, neonates and children at various ages.

Claire Bohr - Paediatric Stoma & Bowel Management Nurse

This video covers the following conditions.

  • Introduction to Paediatric Board
  • Paediatric guideline overview
  • Project purpose & vision

Paediatric stoma products and supporting products

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Chapter 6

Today, there are more paediatric stoma products available than ever before. However, the selection is still limited in neonates, as well as for children with high or liquid output, and/or a difficult location. For this reason, healthcare professionals working in paediatrics must be imaginative and creative.

Read Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - Recognising, preventing and managing stoma, peristomal skin and systemic complications

Stoma and peristomal skin complications are also observed in neonates and children, and it is imperative to know how to manage them.