Neonatology, paediatrics and paediatric virology on a British island: An interview with neonatologist Dr Prakash Thiagarajan (Isle of Man)

Dr Prakash Thiagarajan, consultant neonatologist and clinical director at Women's and Children's Division at Noble's Hospital on the Isle of Man, is one of the most talented neonatologists in the UK with a great experience in newer modes of infant ventilation and the application of technology in neonatal medicine and paediatrics. Under his leadership, the new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Noble's Hospital is a state-of-the-art neonatal unit offering the very highest standards of care for critically ill babies on the island. Dr Thiagarajan highlights the re-emergence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a key mode of ventilatory support for preterm infants and describes the current practice relating to the transport of the critically ill newborn and paediatric population. He reports the main milestones of the Isle of Man preparedness plan for influenza during the 2009 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic and he emphasises the role of immunisations and high level infection control measures in preventing future outbreaks of viral illnesses in children. He accepts that paediatric virology is an extremely important, yet underserved area of paediatrics and as with any clinical specialty, it is very important for effective two-way communications between frontline clinicians and academic researchers. He sums up suggesting the formation of the ‘European Society for Paediatric Virology’ in order to propagate knowledge and training in paediatric virology to health professionals, set standards in training, promote research and development and also raise public awareness. In the context of the ‘4th Workshop on Paediatric Virology’, which will be held in Athens, Greece, on September 22nd, 2018, Dr Thiagarajan's plenary lecture will focus on antiviral drugs in the clinical management of children with influenza.