BNF for Children (BNF for Children) is the standard UK paediatric reference for prescribing and pharmacology.
It contains a wide range of information and advice on prescribing for children - from newborn to adolescence.
The entries are classified by group of drug, giving cautions for use, side effects, indications and dose for most of the drugs available for children in the UK National Health Service. It also includes information on the unlicensed uses of certain drugs. Though published in and for the United Kingdom, the vast bulk of the clinical information will apply in any country.
Contents
Authorship and Publication
BNF for Children is jointly published annually by BMJ (owned by the BMA), Pharmaceutical Press (owned by the RPS), Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Neonatal & Paediatric Pharmacy Group. The principal contributors are acknowledged in the front pages.
It is overseen by BNF for Children Paediatric Formulary Committee
and edited by a team of pharmacists.
History
BNF for Children developed from the British National Formulary (BNF), which prior to 2005 had provided information on the treatment of children, with the doses largely determined by calculations based on the body weight of the child.
The guidance was provided by pharmacists and doctors whose expertise was in the care of adults.
This was an anomaly, as in relation to responses to medicines, the difference between a newborn and a sixteen-year-old is greater than the difference between a sixteen-year-old and a sixty-year-old. Starting in 2002, Prof Martin Kendall, then chairman of BNF Joint Formulary Committee worked to get things changed.
The first edition was published in 2005, with George Rylance
chairing the Paediatric Formulary Committee and Dinesh Mehta as the first executive editor. Anne, the Princess Royal attended the launch on 14 July.
Editions
BNF for Children is published annually, but electronic updates
are produced monthly. The current 2022-2023 edition was published in September 2022.
Availability
Though not aimed at the general public, BNF for Children, like BNF, is available for purchase.
It is provided to NHS staff - usually through their employer, but may be accessed online through MedicinesComplete.
The app is available through the usual app stores.
Contents
How BNF and BNFC are constructed
How to use BNF and BNFC in print
Changes
Guidance on Prescribing
Prescription writing
Supply of medicines
Emergency supply of medicines
Controlled drugs and drug dependence
Adverse reactions to drugs
Guidance on intravenous infusions
Prescribing in hepatic impairment
Prescribing in renal impairment
Prescribing in pregnancy
Prescribing in breast-feeding
Prescribing in palliative care
Drugs and sport
Medicines optimisation
Antimicrobial stewardship
Prescribing in dental practice
NOTES ON DRUGS AND PREPARATIONS
1 Gastro-intestinal system
2 Cardiovascular system
3 Respiratory system
4 Nervous system