Qualitative Parental Perceptions of a Paediatric Multidisciplinary Team Clinic for Prader-Willi Syndrome

Objective: This preliminary review was conducted to inform the design of a new service to support families with children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Families were invited to attend a pilot clinic at a hospital outpatient department, comprising appointments with a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Methods: Following the clinic, families (n=6) were invited to take part in semi-structured qualitative interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Families reported that the clinic offered enhanced support in the following categories: integrated care; professional input; signposting to social support (respite and financial); connection with the wider PWS community; and behavioural support. Conclusion: This is the first paper that documents the parental perspective of an MDT clinic for children with PWS. The families felt an MDT clinic was superior to current care, offering more convenient access to an enhanced service, which would provide integrated and consistent care for their children's diverse, challenging and changing needs.

Childhood obesity as a safeguarding issue: positive experiences with the "new home" environment as a treatment for weight management.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity can lead to acute and chronic comorbidities and adult obesity, highlighting the need for prompt intervention. Families and caregivers play a vital role in treatment and when primary interventions fail, this may become a child protection issue. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two cases of severe childhood obesity where targeted lifestyle interventions failed to impact weight status. Both cases feature child welfare involvement with patients coming into the care of the local authority (under s20 of the Children Act 1989). Foster placement resulted in significant weight loss and improved BMI achieved through reduced portions, healthier choices, restricted calories to recommended daily intake for age and increased activity. Physical and emotional wellbeing benefits were observed and improvements in obesity related comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to reduce a child's weight alone does not constitute a child protection issue. In severe cases, where maximum intervention has failed and when the child has obesity related comorbidites or at a higher risk of developing them, home environment change should be considered in the child's best interest as a treatment for severe childhood obesity.