학술논문
Perceptible Signs of End of Life in Pediatric Intensive Care Patients.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*INTENSIVE care units
*SCIENTIFIC observation
*TERMINAL care
*PEDIATRICS
*PSYCHOLOGY of the terminally ill
*DEATH
*BRADYCARDIA
*LONGITUDINAL method
*BEREAVEMENT
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Language
ISSN
1096-6218
Abstract
Background: How children die in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) has been poorly described, and support for parents during this traumatic experience could be improved. Better information on perceptible signs of the end of life (EOL) in children may help mitigate the trauma. Objective: To describe the most common perceptible EOL signs in PICU patients. Methods: A prospective study in a PICU. Health care providers observed 28 children expected to die and noted the perceptible signs. Results: The most common perceptible signs were desaturation and bradycardia. Twenty-seven patients had at least one change in physical appearance. Gasping was noted in 12 patients. Conclusion: Perceptible signs of the EOL were different from those reported in children dying in other units or in adults. Sharing information about signs of EOL with parents may prepare them and enable them to better support their child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]