Summary

The BNF for Children (BNFC) provides essential practical information to all healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing, dispensing, monitoring and administration of medicines to children. The resource addresses a significant knowledge gap in many areas of paediatric practice by providing practical information on the use of medicines in children of all ages from birth to adolescence. The BNFC provides: Guidance on the drug management of common childhood conditions. Practical advice on topics such as prescription writing and reporting adverse drug reactions. Hands-on information on prescribing, monitoring, dispensing and administering medicines for childhood disorders. Comprehensive dosing guidance for children from birth up to 18 years. Details (including indicative prices) of products on the market as well as reference to many essential products that are not licensed. Indication of the licensing status of drugs. Recommendations in BNF for Children have been constructed on the basis of authoritative sources, emerging evidence and best practice guidelines.The content has been carefully validated by a network of paediatric experts and the process is overseen by a paediatric formulary committee. The BNFC shares the familiar structure of the British National Formulary (BNF) and is designed to be used in paediatric and general practice settings. As a point-of-care tool it is important that it provides practitioners with the most up-to-date information and therefore the latest edition is essential.