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Pediatric palliative care

Donna L Johnston1, Tracy A Hentz, Debra L Friedman

  • 1Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario.

The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics : JPPT : the Official Journal of PPAG
|November 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric palliative care benefits children with serious illnesses by managing symptoms like pain and nausea. This comprehensive care, including bereavement support, is crucial for improving quality of life for these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Palliative Care
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Pediatric palliative care is essential for children facing life-threatening or terminal conditions.
  • Access to palliative care should be universal for all seriously ill children.
  • Current pediatric palliative care models require further development and research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the benefits and scope of pediatric palliative care.
  • To emphasize the importance of symptom management in pediatric palliative care.
  • To advocate for expanded research and accessibility of pediatric palliative care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on pediatric palliative care principles and practices.
  • Analysis of symptom management strategies (pain, nausea, dyspnea, etc.).
  • Discussion of care settings (home, hospice, hospital) and bereavement support.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric palliative care effectively addresses multiple symptoms, improving patient comfort.
  • Comprehensive care extends beyond the child to include family bereavement.
  • Various settings can provide effective pediatric palliative care.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric palliative care significantly benefits children with life-threatening illnesses.
  • Continued research is vital for advancing the quality and accessibility of pediatric palliative care.
  • Holistic care, encompassing symptom management and bereavement, is paramount.

Keywords:
palliative carepediatricsreview

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