Pediatric Palliative Care: As a Need to End-stage Diseases

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is a vital, compassionate approach to supporting children with life-limiting or end-stage diseases—especially in contexts like Iran, where healthcare systems are evolving to meet these complex needs. Here's a comprehensive look at why PPC is essential and how it's being implemented: Why Pediatric Palliative Care Matters in End-Stage Diseases: Children facing terminal illnesses, such as advanced cancer, end-stage renal disease, or severe congenital conditions, require more than just medical treatment. PPC focuses on: Relieving physical symptoms like pain, nausea, fatigue, and breathlessness, Supporting emotional and psychological well-being for both the child and family, Addressing spiritual and cultural needs in a sensitive, personalized way, Improving quality of life, not just prolonging it, Facilitating informed decision-making and end-of-life planning. Iran's Progress in Pediatric Palliative Care. Iran has made notable strides in developing PPC, especially for children with cancer: Local Models: Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran established an outpatient PPC clinic based on WHO guidelines between ۲۰۲۱-۲۰۲۴. Essential Service Package: A structured PPC package was developed, covering physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care, tailored to Iran's cultural context. Challenges Identified: Lack of trained staff and home care services, Limited access to opioids for pain relief, Absence of insurance coverage and clear healthcare tariffs, Communication barriers and family misconceptions. What's Needed Going Forward, Training for healthcare providers in PPC principles, Integration into primary care and community health systems, Policy support for insurance coverage and opioid accessibility, Public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote understanding.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pediatric Palliative Care ، End-stage diseases ، life- limiting diseases