BNF for Children 2021-2022

The BNF for Children is the first choice for concise medicines information for children. Trusted by healthcare professionals across the world to support confident decision-making at the point of care.

The new edition provides up-to-date guidance on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines to children, plus legal and professional guidelines.

Recommendations in the BNF for Children have been constructed on the basis of authoritative sources, emerging evidence, best practice guidelines and advice from a network of paediatric experts. The process is overseen by a paediatric formulary committee.

Extensive content updates in the BNF for Children 2021-2022 edition include:

New monographs for:

• Cablivi® [caplacizumab] for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Cosentyx® [secukinumab] for plaque psoriasis
• COVID-19 vaccine for active immunisation against COVID-19 disease
• Latuda® [lurasidone hydrochloride] for schizophrenia
• Myalepta® [metreleptin] for leptin deficiency in lipodystrophy

MHRA advice on:

• Aminoglycosides: increased risk of deafness in patients with mitochondrial mutations
• Epilepsy: updated advice on antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy following comprehensive safety review
• Erythromycin: caution required due to cardiac risks (QT interval prolongation) and drug interaction with rivaroxaban
• Erythromycin: update on known risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
• Fingolimod (Gilenya®): updated advice about the risks of serious liver injury and herpes meningoencephalitis
• Hydrocortisone (Alkindi®): risk of acute adrenal insufficiency in children when switching from hydrocortisone tablet formulations to granules
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxatives and starch-based thickeners: potential interactive effect when mixed, leading to an increased risk of aspiration

Other significant changes include updated guidance on:

• COVID-19, including immunisation and recommendations on choice of COVID-19 vaccine in-line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and Public Health England recommendations
• Management of fever
• Management of hypoglycaemia, including age-based dose banding
• Management of human and animal bites
• National flu immunisation programme and influenza vaccine in-line with Public Health England recommendations
• Progestogen-only contraceptives in-line with Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare recommendations
• Use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccines in-line with Public Health England recommendations

BNF for Children 2021-2022 is an essential publication, it provides you with:

• Up-to-date information on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines
• Authoritative, independent guidance on best practice enabling you to select safe and effective medicines
• Information you know you can trust for quality, reliability, and independence
• Everything you need at your fingertips, all in one book