• Jessica I Hoell, Jens Warfsmann, Gabriele Gagnon, Laura Trocan, Stefan Balzer, Prasad T Oommen, Arndt Borkhardt, Gisela Janßen, and Michaela Kuhlen.
• Medical Faculty, Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany.
• Eur. J. Pediatr. 2017 Oct 1; 176 (10): 1319-1327.

AbstractThe number of children without a diagnosis in pediatric palliative home care and the process of decision-making in these children are widely unknown. The study was conducted as single-center retrospective cohort study. Between January 2013 and September 2016, 198 children and young adults were cared for; 27 (13.6%) of these were without a clear diagnosis at the start of pediatric palliative home care. A definite diagnosis was ultimately achieved in three children. Median age was 7 years (0-25), duration of care 569 days (2-2638), and number of home visits 7.5 (2-46). Most patients are still alive (19; 70.4%). Median number of drugs administered was eight (range 2-19); antiepileptics were given most frequently. Despite the lack of a clear diagnosis (and thus prognosis), 13 (48.1%) parents faced with their critically ill and clinically deteriorating children decided in favor of a DNAR order. Comparing this with 15 brain-injured children, signs, symptoms, and supportive needs were similar in both groups.

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