Latest news with #SheffieldChildren's
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Smart scales and special clinics to help thousands of obese children lose weight
Thousands of severely overweight children could be helped by hi-tech 'smart scales' as part of an NHS England campaign to support weight loss and promote healthy habits. The digital device, hailed by health chiefs as a 'game-changing tool,' is being rolled out at specialist NHS clinics where staff can monitor and provide ongoing weight loss help to patients and their families. About 350 patients are already using the smart scales, which have 'hidden digits' that connect to a mobile app. It visually shows the 'direction of their weight management' without displaying specific numbers, a spokesman said. The data is automatically transferred to the patient's clinical team, who can keep in touch with the family through the app to send regular personalised feedback. This would be done in line with any behavioural changes that may be needed. The aim is to deliver expert care at home and cut down on the need for frequent hospital visits, for a range of potential issues such as stroke and mental health problems. The pilot scheme is being rolled out at 15 Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) clinics. So far 4,784 children and young people, aged from two to 18, living with severe obesity in England, have received care for complications or conditions linked to excess weight from 32 specialist NHS clinics, since 2021. Another 150 children are in line to use the new smart scales tool and app when it is rolled out to four more clinics this summer, according to NHS England. Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England's national clinical director for children and young people, said: 'This game-changing tool is helping our specialists support and keep track of children's weight-loss progress without them needing to leave home, while offering regular advice to them and their parents to help build healthy habits. 'Living with excess weight can cause problems affecting every organ system and long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, early joint replacements and mental health difficulties. 'We also know that children living with health problems have poorer school attendance, which can affect their future employment and life opportunities – and the NHS won't just sit by and let children and young people become ill adults.' Early intervention can help limit excess weight gain and prevent the long-term health complications linked to obesity, according to Prof Kenny. He said the specialist clinics have 'already transformed the lives of thousands of children and young people – supporting them to lose weight, live heathier lives and improve their mental health'. A 16-year-old schoolgirl, named only as Kirsty, described going to Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust CEW clinic two years ago as 'the best decision I ever made', even though she was 'really nervous' at first about attending. Kirsty was severely bullied about her weight and height at school, which led her to struggle with her mental health and gain more weight. She said: 'Talking about my mental health helped me a lot. The team also taught me a lot about food groups, portion sizes and lots of other things. 'Now I am the best I have ever felt, I am the lowest weight I have ever been and still losing weight. I am getting a lot of help with my mental health and also still getting a lot of other support.' CEW clinic patients can face a range of complex conditions and challenges, according to an analysis of thousands of patients' demographic and obesity-linked health data presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain. A high proportion have a neurodevelopmental disorder, including 24% who had autism or 23% with a learning disability. Major health complications such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease was recorded in 30% of patients, 21% had obstructive sleep apnoea and 21% also suffered from hypertension. More than 40% of patients also lived within the most deprived neighbourhoods, according to the researchers from Leeds Beckett University, Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds University and the University of Bristol. Young people could be referred to a CEW clinic if they have a body mass index (BMI) above the 99.6 percentile, which is considered severe obesity, especially in children and young people, and a complication because of their excess weight. Specialist NHS doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and dietitians are at hand to assess their complications, provide tailored help with diet and lifestyle changes, and give mental health support and coaching.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Drug trial for severe epilepsy has transformed children's lives, families say
Both boys have Dravet syndrome, a form of epilepsy which often begins before the age of one, and affects about one in every 15,000 babies born. Youngsters taking part in the trial have seen dramatic changes – moving from experiencing debilitating seizures to learning to speak, read, write independently, make new friends and take part in sport, the hospital said. Albie's mother Lauren Kelly said: 'We rarely left the house out of fear that Albie might have a seizure in a place not easily accessible for an ambulance. 'I wouldn't travel out of the area to stay near Sheffield Children's. 'Since the research trial it's like I have a new child. 'It's been life-changing. I feel like a millionaire, like I've won the lottery.' Albie, who lives with his mother, father and sister in Barnsley, received the first dose of the trial drug Zorevenersen in June 2022. Before the trial he was non-verbal, showed little emotion and, although he could walk, he often fell. Albie is now in full-time school where he has made friends, thanks to his improved speech, his family said. They said he is 'incredibly independent' – eating and drinking well, sleeping through the night and playing sport. Ms Kelly said: 'It was surreal to have our lives transformed so quickly. 'Our quality of life has improved dramatically. 'I used to be terrified to put Albie to bed, never knowing what we'd wake up to. 'Now, he wakes up and says, 'Morning mummy'. 'I'm so grateful we could take part in this trial. 'It's had such a massive impact not only on Albie's life but also on mine, Albie's dad and my daughter's lives.' Freddie, who lives with his mother, father and younger sister near Huddersfield, was the first child under 13 in the UK to receive Zorevenersen, in September 2021. Freddie Truelove, seven, has made such progress due to a drug trial he was able to go skiing, his family said (Family handout/PA) Since then, he has gone from more than a dozen seizures every night, to one or two brief seizures lasting only seconds every three to five days, and even up to 10 days without any seizures. His family said that he was not really able to talk before the trial, which meant that he struggled to develop friendships. But now his speech is improving and he can hold a conversation fairly well which has resulted in him making friends. He can walk up stairs unaided, swim for the first time and he even went skiing – something Freddie and his family never thought would be possible. Freddie can read and write in full sentences and do maths, his family said. His mum Lauren Truelove said: 'It's really hard to articulate just how big the impact this research trial has had on us, it has completely changed our lives. 'We now have a life we didn't ever think was possible and most importantly it's a life that Freddie can enjoy.' Mrs Truelove said: 'Both Freddie and our family's quality of life increased significantly in the space of a week, it was really surreal. 'Freddie always wants to help, he is the kindest person I have ever met. 'His mission in life is to go above and beyond to help everyone and that's exactly what he's doing by taking part in this research.' The research trial, based at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust's dedicated Clinical Research Facility (CRF), is led by Stoke Therapeutics. Albie Kelly's life has been transformed by a drug trial at Sheffield Children's Hospital (Family handout/PA) After an observation period, the children on the trial are given an initial three doses of Zorevenersen over a period of 12 weeks. The second part of the study involves receiving the drug every 16 weeks. Six patients, from across the north of England and the Midlands, are at Sheffield Children's on the trial, and approximately 17 children are taking part nationally. Consultant in Epilepsy at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust Dr Archana Desurkar said: 'From the first dose, Albie has amazed me. 'He has been a phenomenal success from the trial and his speech has come along so much he now sings 'happy birthday' and says, 'I love you'. 'What's extra special is that by participating in this trial, Albie has not only helped himself, but future generations of children with Dravet syndrome too.' Dr Desurkar said: 'To see Freddie skiing now with such good balance and, most importantly, enjoying himself, it really is something. 'You can see the difference the trial has made to the quality of his life, and by taking part, Freddie has also helped to change the treatment options for future generations of children like him.' The consultant said: 'This condition otherwise is associated with severe refractory epilepsy, severe neurodisability and potentially early death.' She said: 'By taking part, children like Freddie and Albie are not just helping themselves, they are helping future generations with these conditions too.' Dr Desurkar said it is likely to take several years before the trial drug becomes part of standard treatment in the NHS due to the rigorous data assessments and regulatory approvals which are needed.
