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Background: Paediatric palliative care (PPC) aims to improve children’s quality of life, but this outcome is rarely measured in clinical care. PPC is provided in Belgium through six transmural paediatric liaison teams (PLTs) ensuring continuity of care for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions (LLC/LTC). This study aims to measure the quality of life (QoL) of children with LLC/LTC followed-up by PLTs and the QoL of their parents. Methods: During interviews, an original socio demographic questionnaire, the Children palliative outcome scale—version 2 (CPOS-2), the Fragebogen für Kinder und Jugendliche zur Erfassung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (KINDL) and the Quality of life in life-threatening Illness-Family caregiver (QOLLTI-F) were filled in by PLT members. Statistics were used to investigate significant differences between scores. Results were discussed and interpreted with six PLTs. Results: 73 children aged 1–18 were included in the study. Especially for items focusing on emotional items, children reported their QoL as higher than their parents did. The QoL scores were not significantly associated with the child’s condition’s severity. Conclusions: This study provides, for the first time, an overview of the QoL of children and parents followed-up by PLTs in Belgium.

Background Although continuity of care in paediatric palliative care (PPC) is considered to be an essential element of quality of care, it’s implementation is challenging. In Belgium, five paediatric liaison teams (PLTs) deliver palliative care. A Royal Decree issued in 2010 provides the legal framework that defines the PLTs’ missions, as ensuring continuity of curative and palliative care between the hospital and home for children diagnosed with life-limiting conditions. This national study describes how PLTs ensure continuity of care by describing their activities and the characteristics of the children they cared for from 2010 to 2014. Methods Thematic analysis of open-ended questions was performed and descriptive statistics of aggregated data issued from annual reports, collected by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health through the Cancer Plan was used. A review panel of PLT members discussed the results and contributed to their interpretation. Results Between 2010 and 2014, 3607 children and young adults (0–21 years) were cared for by the 5 Belgian PLTs (mean of 721/per year). Of these children, 50% were diagnosed with an oncological disease, 27% with a neurological or metabolic disease. Four hundred and twenty eight (428) children had died. For 51% of them, death took place at home. PLT activities include coordination; communication; curative and palliative care; education; research and fundraising. Different perceptions of what constitutes a palliative stage, heterogeneity in reporting diagnosis and the current lack of specific valid indicators to report PPC activities were found. Conclusion PLTs are offering highly individualised, flexible and integrated care from diagnosis to bereavement in all care settings. Improvements in data registration and implementation of outcome measures are foreseen.

BackgroundPaediatric complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are life-limiting conditions requiring paediatric palliative care, which, in Belgium, is provided through paediatric liaison teams (PLTs). Like the number of children and adolescents with these conditions in Belgium, their referral to PLTs is unknown.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to identify, over a 5-year period (2010–2014), the number of children and adolescents (0–19 years) living with a CCC, and also their referral to PLTs.MethodsInternational Classification of Disease codes (ICD-9) corresponding to a CCC, as described by Feudtner et al, and national registration numbers were extracted from the databases of all hospitals (n=8) and PLTs (n=2) based in the Brussels region. Aggregated data and pseudonymised national registration number were transmitted to the research team by a Trusted Third Party (eHealth). Ages and diagnostic categories were calculated using descriptive statistics.ResultsOver 5 years (2010–2014) in the Brussels region, a total of 22 721 children/adolescents aged 0–19 years were diagnosed with a CCC. Of this number, 22 533 were identified through hospital registries and 572 through PLT registries. By comparing the registries, we found that of the 22 533 children/adolescents admitted to hospital, only 384 (1.7%) were also referred to a PLT.ConclusionIn Belgium, there may be too few referrals of children and adolescents with CCC to PLTs that ensure continuity of care.

Research framework: In Belgium, euthanasia was made available to minors in February 2014. The request to die must be expressed by the minor and receive parental consent. It is regulated by an interdisciplinary process and support for situations of constant, unbearable and unappeasable physical suffering presenting no other reasonable solution in the context of an incurable condition.Objectives: Share reflections and recommendations on support for children, their families and teams in the context of euthanasia requests. They aim to point out the elements that this support has in common with any care process, but also those that characterize it specifically.Methodology: Since 2014, the pediatric palliative care mobile team of the Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital (HUDERF) of the Brussels University Hospital (HUB) of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) has met regularly on an interdisciplinary basis to examine and discuss the various aspects of the law.Results: The outcome of this dialogue opens up a field of reflection and guidelines for ensuring appropriate, regulated care. Its aim is to support all those involved in the emergence of a request for euthanasia. The aim is not to define a strict framework, but to propose generalizable benchmarks capable of ensuring dynamic, non-linear, collaborative and comprehensive care.Conclusions: Euthanasia is a process of care and accompaniment that follows the multiple rhythms of the people for whom it is responsible. A human and interdisciplinary constellation is needed to guide this process.Contribution: Euthanasia of minors in Belgium is a rare practice, little studied but never trivial. This article examines the exceptional singularity of this care process and the interdisciplinary resources needed to support it.

Background During the 2009 influenza A/H1N1v pandemic, children were identified as a specific \"at risk\" group. We conducted a multicentric study to describe pattern of influenza A/H1N1v infection among hospitalized children in Brussels, Belgium. Methods From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers. Results During the epidemic period, an excess of 18% of pediatric outpatients and emergency department visits was registered. 215 children were hospitalized with proven/probable influenza A/H1N1v infection. Median age was 31 months. 47% had ≥ 1 comorbid conditions. Febrile respiratory illness was the most common presentation. 36% presented with initial gastrointestinal symptoms and 10% with neurological manifestations. 34% had pneumonia. Only 24% of the patients received oseltamivir but 57% received antibiotics. 10% of children were admitted to PICU, seven of whom with ARDS. Case fatality-rate was 5/215 (2%), concerning only children suffering from chronic neurological disorders. Children over 2 years of age showed a higher propensity to be admitted to PICU (16% vs 1%, p = 0.002) and a higher mortality rate (4% vs 0%, p = 0.06). Infants less than 3 months old showed a milder course of infection, with few respiratory and neurological complications. Conclusion Although influenza A/H1N1v infections were generally self-limited, pediatric burden of disease was significant. Compared to other countries experiencing different health care systems, our Belgian cohort was younger and received less frequently antiviral therapy; disease course and mortality were however similar.

The literature acknowledges the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric chronic pain populations. Few studies have focused on comorbidity with autism spectrum disorders. We describe the case of a 10-year-old patient at the onset of his care by the chronic pain team. This boy had been experiencing refractory multifocal chronic pain for three years and had undergone multiple medical examinations that had not identified the cause of the pain or provided sufficient pain relief. During our consultations, the behavioral peculiarities (averted gaze, inhibition), the atypical description of this boy's pain (pain in the hair), and sensory peculiarities (intolerance to noise) led us to suspect an autism spectrum disorder. A multidisciplinary approach, including a thorough developmental history and evaluation by an autism resource center, confirmed this suspicion. The diagnosis of an underlying autism spectrum disorder allowed us to guide our management by integrating the specific sensory aspects of this boy. Concurrently, we facilitated the family's better understanding of the young boy's issues and addressed his social and communication difficulties. Through multidisciplinary care and the integration of these various aspects, our patient's clinical situation improved. Multidisciplinary management is essential in chronic pain teams.

In parliamentary debate in Belgium, the relevance of age has been regarded as less important than the capacity for discernment of involved issues and implications, which varies widely in children, whether they are seriously ill or not. Therefore, the bill that was approved by the Senate on Dec 12, 2013 and enacted by the Chamber of Representatives on Feb 13, 2014 makes no reference to any age limit.16 This situation contrasts with the Dutch law,2 which allows terminally ill children to seek euthanasia from the age of 12 years, with full parental consent required up to 16 years of age.

Cadre de la recherche : En Belgique, l’euthanasie a été ouverte aux mineurs en février 2014. La demande à mourir doit être formulée par le mineur. Elle doit recevoir l’accord des parents. Elle est réglementée par un processus d’évaluation et d’accompagnement interdisciplinaire pour des situations de souffrance physique constante, insupportable et inapaisable ne présentant aucune autre solution raisonnable dans le contexte d’une affection incurable. Objectifs : Partager les réflexions et recommandations sur l’accompagnement des enfants, de leurs familles et des équipes dans le cadre des demandes d’euthanasie. Elles visent à pointer les éléments que cet accompagnement a en commun avec tout processus de soin, mais également ceux qui le caractérisent proprement.Méthodologie : Dès 2014, l’équipe mobile de soins palliatifs pédiatriques de l’Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF) de l’Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB) de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) s’est réunie régulièrement de manière interdisciplinaire afin d’examiner et de discuter les différents aspects de la loi.Résultats : Le résultat de ce dialogue ouvre un champ de réflexions et de balises pour assurer un soin adapté et réglementé. Il vise à favoriser l’accompagnement de l’ensemble des personnes mobilisées par l’émergence d’une demande d’euthanasie. Il ne s’agit pas de définir un cadre strict, mais de proposer des repères généralisables et capables d’y assurer un soin dynamique, non linéaire, collaboratif et compréhensif.Conclusions :  L’euthanasie est un processus de soin et d’accompagnement allant aux rythmes multiples des personnes dont il a la responsabilité. Les balises de ce cheminement trouvent place à travers une constellation humaine et interdisciplinaire. Contribution : L’euthanasie de mineur en Belgique est une pratique rare, peu étudiée mais jamais anodine. Cet article interroge l’exceptionnelle singularité de ces processus de soin et les ressources interdisciplinaires nécessaires pour l’accompagner.