Young adults with PIMD Polyhandicap in pediatric settings a situation more complex than problematic

Profound Intellectual Multiple Disability (PIMD)/Polyhandicap, thanks to advances in medical management, are now reaching adulthood and have increased survival. Although, ten percent of the adults are cared for in paediatric facilities. The aims of this study were to assess 1) whether the profile of young adults in paediatric care differ from those in adult care on health characteristics, care organizations, and healthcare consumption. The study uses a cross-sectional design from the French Eval-PLH cohort: Two groups of young adults (18-35 years) with PIMD/Polyhandicap were defined according to the structure where they were care managed: paediatric vs adult facilities. Data collected: general health characteristics, care organization, and healthcare consumption. Young adults care managed for in paeditric facilities were significantly younger, had a lower body mass index, presented a less severe dependency status, presented a less severe health status, and were less often examined by a pneumologist, or a gynaecologist practitioner compared to adults care managed in adult facilities. The transition process from paediatric to adult care for persons with PIMD/Polyhandicap often occurs later, without any evident effect on the health outcomes and care provision.Clinical trial registration number NCT02400528 (February 2015).