Medications. Researchers propose to "listen" to children

A research team from various Portuguese universities found that using questionnaires to assess children's experiences during treatment can enhance medication safety. Renato Ferreira da Silva from the University of Porto emphasized the benefits of active monitoring, especially in high-risk situations like chemotherapy. The study advocates for structured approaches in pediatric pharmacovigilance, utilizing Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) to complement traditional reporting systems. This method aims to better characterize symptoms' frequency and impact on daily activities, aiding clinical decisions. The team, including researchers from Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon, believes these questionnaires can improve understanding of adverse reactions and treatment adjustments. The VIGIA project, funded by Portugal 2030, aims to innovate medication safety monitoring through AI.