We are faced in paediatrics with some very, very difficult situations. Where our humanity and medical training come to the fore - in working with families dealing with the cliff edge of their child’s mortality - is where we need to put the same emotional and intellectual effort we would want if the tables were turned. At these times, knowing our advice is based on the best available evidence may have even greater importance.

This month we address this in two different fields of care. The ED, and traumatic cardiac arrest [https://adc.bmj.com/content/107/7/695.1] and in the neonatal intensive care, with a resistant intracardiac thrombosis [https://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2022/05/10/archdischild-2022-323789]. We also spend a few moments pleading with you not to be beguiled by the power of p [https://adc.bmj.com/content/107/7/695.2]… and while less clinical, that’s as important.