Integrating pediatric palliative care for 47 children with heart failure identified family distress (100%), mood issues and anxiety (59.6%), and pain (40.4%) as the main issues to address.
Observational (n=47)
No
Does integrating specialized pediatric palliative care address symptoms and distress in children with heart failure?
Integrating specialized pediatric palliative care for children with heart failure addresses significant family distress, mood issues, and pain, improving quality of life and aligning care with family values.
Heart failure is becoming an increasingly cause of hospital admissions in the pediatric population, linked to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite advances, end-stage heart disease still causes significant symptoms, extended hospitalizations, and reduced quality of life. Pediatric palliative care (PPC), aimed at improving quality of life through symptom management, emotional support, and advanced care planning, can benefit these children. This project aimed to establish specialized PPC services for children with heart failure, regardless of their care goals, at a tertiary care and transplant center in Saudi Arabia. This project is presented with a retrospective review spanning from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2024. The steps toward integration included (1) assessing gaps, (2) developing services, (3) setting up a referral system, (4) raising awareness, (5) implementing the program, and (6) measuring outcomes. Of the 47 children included, the average age was 10 years (SD = 4), half had a transplant, and 20 (42.6%) died during the period. The main issues were family distress (100%), children's mood issues and anxiety (59.6%), and pain (40.4%). Implementing PPC improves quality of life and ensures medical care aligns with family values. Children's emotional distress, parental anxiety over the disease's unpredictable course, and aggressive end-of-life care are key issues to address.
Sadler et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Heart failure in children (n=47). Pediatric palliative care (PPC) was evaluated on Main issues identified (family distress, mood issues/anxiety, pain). Integrating pediatric palliative care for 47 children with heart failure identified family distress (100%), mood issues and anxiety (59.6%), and pain (40.4%) as the main issues to address.