Access to paediatric palliative care in children and adolescents with complex chronic conditions: A retrospective hospital-based study in Brussels, Belgium

Access to paediatric palliative care in children and adolescents with complex chronic conditions: A retrospective hospital-based study in Brussels, Belgium

Friedel M; Gilson A; Bouckenaere D; Brichard B; Fonteyne C; Wojcik T; De Clercq E; Guillet A; Mahboub A; Lahaye M; Aujoulat I

BMJ Paediatrics Open

2019

adolescent; article; Belgium; cardiovascular disease; child; chronic disease; complex chronic condition; congenital disorder; data base; female; gastrointestinal disease; genetic disorder; groups by age; health care access; hematologic disease; hospital; hospital admission; hospitalized adolescent; hospitalized child; human; Icd-9; immune deficiency; infant; length of stay; major clinical study; male; malignant neoplasm; metabolic disorder; morbidity; neurologic disease; newborn; palliative therapy; patient care; patient referral; pediatric patient; pediatric ward; priority journal; respiratory tract disease; retrospective study; urinary tract disease

BACKGROUND: Paediatric complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are life-limiting conditions requiring paediatric palliative care, which, in Belgium, is provided through paediatric liaison teams (PLTs). Like the number of children and adolescents with these conditions in Belgium, their referral to PLTs is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify, over a 5-year period (2010-2014), the number of children and adolescents (0-19 years) living with a CCC, and also their referral to PLTs. METHODS: International Classification of Disease codes (ICD-9) corresponding to a CCC, as described by Feudtner et al, and national registration numbers were extracted from the databases of all hospitals (n=8) and PLTs (n=2) based in the Brussels region. Aggregated data and pseudonymised national registration number were transmitted to the research team by a Trusted Third Party (eHealth). Ages and diagnostic categories were calculated using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Over 5 years (2010-2014) in the Brussels region, a total of 22 721 children/adolescents aged 0-19 years were diagnosed with a CCC. Of this number, 22 533 were identified through hospital registries and 572 through PLT registries. By comparing the registries, we found that of the 22 533 children/adolescents admitted to hospital, only 384 (1.7%) were also referred to a PLT. CONCLUSION: In Belgium, there may be too few referrals of children and adolescents with CCC to PLTs that ensure continuity of care.

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December 2019 List