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Published on: July 26, 2024
Subcutaneous Drug Administration in Pediatric Palliative Home Care: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Belén Riva de la Hoz1, Marta Echávarri de Miguel1, Cristina Latre Gorbe2
1Pharmacy Department, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, 28009, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Subcutaneous drug administration is a safe and feasible option for symptom management in pediatric palliative home care. This study highlights its effectiveness and supports further research for standardized pediatric subcutaneous therapy.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pediatric palliative care often involves complex conditions and significant symptom burden.
- Subcutaneous drug administration offers an alternative route when other methods are not feasible.
- Evidence for its use in children is currently limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the real-world use, safety, and administration of subcutaneous drugs for symptom control in pediatric palliative home care.
- To identify factors associated with catheter-related complications.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, prospective observational study involving nine Spanish hospitals.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients receiving home-based palliative care requiring subcutaneous drug administration.
- Data collection at patient, catheter, and treatment levels; statistical analysis using descriptive statistics and mixed-effects logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 40 patients, 140 catheters, and 214 treatment episodes.
- Primary indication: inadequate symptom control via other routes (75%).
- Catheter-related complications occurred in 40%, mainly mild local reactions; scopolamine use was linked to increased risk (OR, 6.94).
Conclusions:
- Subcutaneous drug administration is a viable and generally safe strategy for symptom control in pediatric palliative home care.
- Findings advocate for collaborative research to standardize pediatric subcutaneous therapy.
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