Founded in 1922, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is a voluntary professional association of thousands of paediatric subspecialists, paediatric residents, and more. The CPS represents all territories and provinces, and is governed by an elected Board of Directors of three officers and fifteen directors.

The Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program allows the CPS to monitor rare diseases and conditions, facilitating its ability to support paediatricians and help parents make informed decisions. The CPS releases position statements, maintains a peer-review journal, and hosts educational opportunities like regional CME events and an annual conference.  

Here’s a look at some of the clinical guidance and recommendations that the CPS provides to clinicians. 

Management of the Paediatric Patient with Acute Head Trauma

  • Published: March 28, 2025
  • Description: These guidelines discuss clinical signs of acute head trauma (AHT), early management steps, observation protocols, imaging recommendations, and long-term care strategies. AHT resulting in traumatic brain injury remains a significant contributor to illness and death among children. The severity of such injuries varies based on the child’s age and the nature of the trauma. It is crucial to recognize which patients may have more serious injuries and require targeted assessment and care.

Guidelines for Detection and Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in Term and Late Preterm Newborns (≥35 Weeks Gestational Age)

  • Published: March 18, 2025
  • Description: These guidelines cover universal screening, evaluating risk factors, and recommended methods for treatment, investigation, and ongoing monitoring of hyperbilirubinemia. Hyperbilirubinemia frequently occurs in term and late preterm infants and is typically harmless. Implementing a consistent strategy for prevention, early detection, and management in all newborns helps reduce the likelihood of serious neurological outcomes, such as kernicterus and acute bilirubin encephalopathy.

Managing Newborns at Risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)/Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS): Updates and Emerging Best Practices

  • Published: January 7, 2025
  • Description: These guidelines address the needs of pregnant women with substance-exposed pregnancies, focusing on opioid use, its impact on newborns, and strategies for withdrawal management. The rising number of newborns exposed to substances in utero, particularly opioids, poses serious health and developmental risks, often requiring careful assessment and treatment for withdrawal.

Managing Pain in Newborns: A Multidimensional Approach

  • Published: December 18, 2024
  • Description: These guidelines offer guidance on pain assessment tools, effective pharmacological interventions, post-operative pain management, and more. Effective pain prevention and management is a critical part of newborn care, as untreated pain in infancy can lead to both immediate distress and long-term impacts on development and pain sensitivity.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Guidance on Assessment and Management for Paediatric Health Care Providers

  • Published: November 20, 2024
  • Description: These guidelines focus on assessing and managing somatic symptoms and related disorders in pediatric patients including diagnostic considerations, effective communication strategies, and evidence-based treatments. The guidelines emphasize the use of psychoeducation to reduce reliance on unnecessary medical tests and promote functional, rehabilitative care while supporting and validating the experiences of patients and their families. Somatic symptoms and related disorders present significant challenges in pediatric care, affecting the well-being and functioning of children, adolescents, and their families.

Medical Assessment of Suspected Traumatic Head Injury Due to Child Maltreatment

  • Published: July 18, 2024
  • Description: These guidelines help providers with identifying and medically assessing suspected traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment (THI-CM) in infants and children. Because symptoms of head trauma can overlap with symptoms of common paediatric illnesses, it can be easily overlooked, risking additional injury.

Management of Very Mild and Mild Asthma in Preschoolers, Children, and Adolescents

  • Published: December 8, 2023
  • Description: These guidelines focus on diagnosing and managing asthma in the respective age ranges. Particularly, the pharmacological management of mild and very mild asthma in children older than one year old.

Management of Well-Appearing Febrile Young Infants Aged ≤90 Days

  • Published: October 27, 2023
  • Description: These guidelines cover infants, 90-days or younger, who present with fever and no other discernible health concern. The guidelines stress that management decisions for infants meeting low-risk criteria should reflect the probability of disease, include parents/caregivers in shared decision-making when options exist, and consider the balance of risks and potential harm.

Care for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

  • Published: September 29, 2023
  • Description:These guidelines focus on children with cerebral palsy at Gross Motor Function Classification System III to V. At these levels, children use devices such as canes, powered mobility devices, wheelchairs or walkers. The guidelines discuss practical resources for paediatricians, along with methods for early detection, therapeutic options, and rehabilitation options.

The Canadian Paediatric Society is an invaluable resource for pediatricians around the world looking for expert guidance regarding their youngest patients. Make sure to check the Canadian Paediatric Society guidelines and sign up for alerts to stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles. 

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