The poor prognosis of patients with trisomy 13 has long been accepted and has been ascribed to brain and heart malformations. It has been suggested, however, that the long term survival is better than was previously thought and that cardiac surgery…
Objective: To compare and contrast the perceived care needs of children with life-limiting conditions (CLLC) from the perspectives of the children, parents and healthcare providers. Design: A qualitative case study method using semistructured…
The response to the bisphosphonate, pamidronate, is reported in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta who had recurrent symptomatic hypercalcaemia after immobilisation following fractures. Oral clodronate was effective in the prevention of…
Most children who die in the UK have an underlying chronic illness, and the majority of these deaths take place in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).1 The overall community burden of paediatric chronic illness is increasing as the population…
Medium chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency presents with episodic fasting, hypoketotic hypoglycaemia, and coma. It is known to be potentially lethal, but the outlook for survivors is thought to be good. We reassessed all patients…
eizures are often initially treated at home. The standard treatment is rectal diazepam. Sublingual (SL) lorazepam is easy to administer but has not been well evaluated for efficacy in epilepsy. It has been reported to be effective for serial seizures…
Recent high-profile cases have highlighted the difficulties that professionals caring for terminally ill or technology dependent children face. I am a paediatrician. I see children with severe problems, often chronic and frequently without a cure,…
Ensuring a safe and effective transition of young people with chronic illness and disability from paediatric care to adult health services is a key quality issue for the NHS. To achieve this, three elements must be pursued with vigour. Firstly, a…
OBJECTIVE: To describe how paediatricians undertake the process of end-of-life decision-making for a child with a life-limiting condition who is unable to participate in decision-making for themselves. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological study…
Introduction Health professionals in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are regularly confronted with an infant’s imminent death. The death of a child is unnatural to parents and intensely affects them. Providing end-of-life care and follow-up…
Purpose To describe the formation of a paediatric palliative care programme providing care in hospital, at home or in hospice, ensuring continuity of care where the child and family desire. Study design Descriptive analysis was performed on referral…
Objectives Questionnaire evaluation of a newly developed Enhanced Symptom Management clinic held at the local children's hospice to support children and young people (CYP) with life limiting (LLC) and life threatening conditions (LTC). Methods A…
Background Research shows that palliative care for children requires special attention and a coordinated approach to support the child and its entire family. In June 2012 a project was started in the Women’s and Children’s Clinic, Academic Medical…
Objectives Using transmucosal fentanyl as an opioid for rapid acting, needle-free breakthrough relief of symptoms is established within paediatric palliative medicine.1 2 Medication administration via the buccal route is commonly used in paediatric…
OBJECTIVE: Increasingly the views of young people are sought when improving healthcare; however, it is unclear how they shape policy or practice. This paper presents a consultation with young people commissioned by the National Institute for Health…
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Bereavement Team, are adapting strategies from the RCPCH Situational Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) Programme, to develop a quality improvement program for neonates with palliative care needs.
A child on life support with no hope of recovery is the worst nightmare for parents and for paediatricians. Unfortunately, some children have illnesses or injuries that are not compatible with life. Being in a vegetative state with no meaningful…
BACKGROUND: Children with severe neurological impairment may have significant oral motor dysfunction and are at increased risk of nutritional deficiencies, poor growth, and aspiration pneumonia. Gastrostomy tube feeding is increasingly being used for…
OBJECTIVE: End-of-life decision-making is difficult for everyone involved, as many studies have shown. Within this complexity, there has been little information on how parents see the role of doctors in end-of-life decision-making for children. This…
Objectives Palliative care (PC) affirms life with goal to improve quality of life for patients with life-threatening conditions.1 PC referrals are influenced by multiple patient and provider factors, including staff awareness of guidelines, plus…
Objective To determine the clinical stage (stable, unstable, deteriorating or dying) for children and young people (CYP) aged 0–25 years in Scotland with life-limiting conditions (LLCs).
Design National cohort of CYP with LLCs using linked routinely…
A retrospective study was undertaken of 25 families and their 26 ill children attending the first children's hospice in the United Kingdom. The study examined the family's perceptions of the care offered and the impact of chronic and life threatening…
Background Children with progressive, non-curable genetic, metabolic, or neurological conditions require specialised care to enhance their quality of life. Prevention and relief of physical symptoms for these children needs to begin at diagnosis,…
AIM To detail the everyday occurrence of pain in non-communicating children with cognitive impairment. METHODS Thirty four parents of cognitively impaired verbally non-communicating children completed pain diaries over a two week period. Each day,…
Dystonia is a challenging neurological symptom found in paediatric palliative care (PPC).1 While well defined as a movement disorder characterised by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions associated with abnormal movement and posturing,…
Perinatal palliative medicine is an emerging subspecialty within paediatric palliative medicine, neonatal medicine, fetal medicine and obstetrics. It comprises patient-focused, non-judgemental shared decision making and aims to provide holistic…
In 1997 a review article on bisphosphonates in this journal identified 24 published articles relating to children at that time. Since then there has been a considerable increase in their use in clinical paediatric practice and research with there…
Background Children and young people (CYP) with life-limiting (LLC) and life-threatening (LTC) conditions represent a growing and significant patient population. The effective delivery of integrated, holistic palliative healthcare for patients with…
Growing numbers of patients with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) are surviving into late childhood and beyond. This increasingly complex patient group may experience multiple formidable and precarious interventions, lifelong morbidity and the…
The diagnosis of severe type 1 SMA should be confirmed by an expert in paediatric neuromuscular disease. Invasive investigations are not usually necessary as the diagnosis is confirmed with a DNA blood test. Care thereafter should be delivered close…
Chronic pain is an important clinical problem affecting significant numbers of children and their families. The severity and impact of chronic pain on everyday function is shaped by the complex interaction of biological, psychological and social…
OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on moral distress experienced by nursing and medical professionals within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). DESIGN: Pubmed, EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL…
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
All-cause infant and childhood mortality has decreased in the UK over the last 30 years. Advances in paediatric critical care have increased survival in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) but may have affected how and when…
Background: Conflict in paediatric healthcare is becoming increasingly prevalent, in particular relation to paediatric end of life. This is damaging to patients, families, professionals and healthcare resources. Current research has begun to explore…
Objective To describe the development and implementation of a 1-year 'Hybrid' Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) Fellowship, which includes both clinical and online learning to train paediatricians as specialists and leaders in paediatric palliative…
Background and aims Recent audit found common practice in the UK is to restrict visitors on PICU to 2 adults, including parents, to ensure staff’s safe patient access. This requires nurses to take responsibility for bed space visitors, however, this…
