Open AccessNeuropalliative Care for Neonates
Author(s) -
Sharla Rent,
Margarita Bidegain,
Margaret H. Bost,
Chi Hornik,
Monica E. Lemmon
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.661
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1702-6075
pISSN - 0883-0738
DOI - 10.1177/08830738211045238
Subject(s) - neonatal intensive care unit , medicine , palliative care , intensive care , neurology , neonatal nursing , perinatal period , intensive care medicine , nursing , pediatrics , psychology , psychiatry , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Many childhood neurologic conditions are first diagnosed in the perinatal period and shorten or seriously alter the lives of affected infants. Neonatal neuropalliative care incorporates core practices and teachings of both neurology and palliative care and is directed toward patients and families affected by serious neurologic conditions in the antenatal and immediate newborn period. This review outlines key considerations for neurologists hoping to provide a neuropalliative care approach antenatally, in the neonatal intensive care unit, and around hospital discharge. We explore 4 core domains of neuropalliative care: (1) family-centered communication, (2) prognostication, (3) decision making, and (4) pain and symptom management. We address special considerations in care at the end of life and in varied cultural and practice contexts.