Pediatric palliative care: Comprehensive support for children

Abstract

Palliative Care (PC), is the set of actions and tools that seek relief from symptoms and suffering of patients and their families to diseases that threaten their lives. This support includes different types of resources covering the clinical, socio-economic, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects. Due to increasing life expectancy of humans and the fact that chronic diseases account for 60% of premature death, mainly due to cardiovascular diseases, neurological and malignant tumors; has been the global need to create, implement, and enhance knowledge and PC local programs. In pediatrics, there are four main reasons why a child can and should receive pediatric palliative care (PPC): Cancer, Cystic fibrosis, Metabolic or Mitochondrial and/or Progressive Muscle Diseases and Neurological Disorders. In this article we analyze synthetically the definition, types and basic definitions on the CPP matter. Also, we share the local experience about the first pediatric palliative care program focus in oncologic patients on the Dominican Republic. To review the basics and history of palliative care. To establish the goals and definition of pediatric palliative care, symptom management, terminal illness and integral support. To describe the local pediatric palliative care in oncology unit at Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital in Dominican Republic as the first PPC local program in the country for children with cancer.