Palliative care in pediatric hematological oncology patients: experience of a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the approach to palliative care for hematological oncology patients in the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of 29 hematological oncology patients who died between 2009 and 2011. Data regarding the approach and prevalence of pain, prevalence of other symptoms, multidisciplinary team participation, communication between staff and family and limited invasive therapy were collected from the medical records. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (93.1%) patients displayed disease progression unresponsive to curative treatment. The median age at death was ten years old. Pain was the most prevalent symptom with all patients who reported pain receiving analgesic medications. The majority took weak (55.2%) and/or strong (65.5%) opioids. The patients were followed by pediatricians and a pediatric hematologist/oncologist. Participation of other professionals was also documented: 86.2% were followed by social services and 69% by psychologists, among others. There were explicit descriptions of limitation of invasive therapy in the medical records of 26 patients who died with disease progression. All these decisions were shared with the families. CONCLUSION: Although the hospital where this study was conducted does not have a specialized team in pediatric palliative care, it meets all the requirements for developing a specific program. The importance of approaching pain and other prevalent symptoms in children with cancer involving a comprehensive multidisciplinary team is evident. Discussions were had with most of the families on limiting invasive therapy, but no record of a well-defined and coordinated treatment plan for palliative care was found.

Palliative care in pediatric hematological oncology patients: experience of a tertiary hospital

Objective: To evaluate the approach to palliative care for hematological oncology patients in the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of 29 hematological oncology patients who died between 2009 and 2011. Data regarding the approach and prevalence of pain, prevalence of other symptoms, multidisciplinary team participation, communication between staff and family and limited invasive therapy were collected from the medical records. Results: Twenty-seven (93.1%) patients displayed disease progression unresponsive to curative treatment. The median age at death was ten years old. Pain was the most prevalent symptom with all patients who reported pain receiving analgesic medications. The majority took weak (55.2%) and/or strong (65.5%) opioids. The patients were followed by pediatricians and a pediatric hematologist/oncologist. Participation of other professionals was also documented: 86.2% were followed by social services and 69% by psychologists, among others. There were explicit descriptions of limitation of invasive therapy in the medical records of 26 patients who died with disease progression. All these decisions were shared with the families. Conclusion: Although the hospital where this study was conducted does not have a specialized team in pediatric palliative care, it meets all the requirements for developing a specific program. The importance of approaching pain and other prevalent symptoms in children with cancer involving a comprehensive multidisciplinary team is evident. Discussions were had with most of the families on limiting invasive therapy, but no record of a well-defined and coordinated treatment plan for palliative care was found...

Cuidados paliativos em pediatria: uma revisão / Los cuidados paliativos en pediatría: una revisión / Palliative care in pediatrics: a review

A expansão tecnológica das últimas décadas modificou o perfil dos pacientes na pediatria, tornando cada vez mais frequente a assistência a crianças com doenças crônicas e ameaçadoras à vida. Cuidados paliativos envolvem a assistência ativa e total prestada a essas crianças, nas dimensões de seu corpo, mente e espírito, bem como o suporte oferecido a sua família. O presente estudo revisa aspectos relevantes na abordagem paliativa: a prevalência e abordagem dos sintomas, a participação de equipe multiprofissional, a comunicação com a família, os cuidados ao final da vida e a limitação de terapêuticas invasivas. A despeito do reconhecimento da importância da medicina paliativa, nossas universidades ainda priorizam a medicina curativa. Instituir esse tema no processo de formação do médico é uma necessidade real e absoluta, visando proporcionar vida e morte dignas aos nossos pacientes.

La expansión tecnológica de las últimas décadas ha cambiado el perfil de los pacientes de pediatría, volviendo cada vez más frecuente la asistencia a los niños con enfermedades crónicas y potencialmente mortales. Cuidados paliativos involucran la asistencia activa y total prestada a estos niños y niñas, en el ámbito de su cuerpo, mente y espíritu, así como el apoyo ofrecido a toda su familia. Este estudio proporciona un análisis de los aspectos relevantes en el enfoque paliativo: la prevalencia y abordaje de los síntomas, la participación de un equipo multidisciplinario, la comunicación con la familia, la atención al final de la vida y la limitación de las terapias invasivas. A pesar del reconocimiento de la importancia de la medicina paliativa, nuestras universidades siguen dando prioridad a la medicina curativa. Establecer ese tema en el proceso de la educación médica es una necesidad real y absoluta, con el objetivo de proporcionar una vida y una muerte dignas a nuestros pacientes.

The technological expansion in recent decades changed the profile of the patients in pediatrics, with assistance to children with chronic and life-threatening conditions more frequent each time. Palliative care involves an active and full assistance provided to these children, in the context of their body, mind and spirit as well as the support offered to their entire family. This study provides a review of relevant aspects in palliative approach: the prevalence and approach of symptoms, the participation of a multidisciplinary team, communication with family, care at end of life and limitation of invasive therapies. Despite recognition of the importance of palliative medicine, our universities still give priority to curative medicine. Introducing this theme in the process of medical education is a real and absolute need, aiming to provide dignified life and death to our patients.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: 37 cases in a single Brazilian institution

OBJECTIVES: To improve the level of 'definitive' diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis by immunohistochemical investigation of the CD1a surface antigen and to compare outcomes in respect to age, gender, stage of the disease, treatment response and level of diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of 37 children and adolescents with possible Langerhans cell histiocytosis between 1988 and 2008. The diagnoses were revisited using immunohistochemical investigations for CD1a, S-100 and CD68 in an attempt to reach definitive diagnoses for all cases. RESULTS: Before the study, only 13 of 37 patients (35.1 percent) had a 'definitive' diagnosis; by the end of the study, this number rose to 25 patients (67.6 percent). All reviewed cases were positive for the CD1a antigen. Overall survival was 88.5 percent. Multisystem disease (Stage 2; n=19) and absence of response at the 6th week of therapy (n=5) were associated to significantly lower overall survival (p-value = 0.04 and 0.0001, respectively). All deaths occurred in patients with multisystem disease and organ dysfunction at diagnosis. Other potential prognostic factors were not significant. Reactivation episodes occurred in 75 percent of the patients with multisystem disease. Diabetes insipidus was the most common sequel (21.6 percent). CONCLUSION: The level of diagnostic accuracy was increased through immunohistochemistry. The overall survival rate was similar to international multicentric studies. Multisystem disease and absence of response at six weeks of treatment were the most important unfavorable prognostic factors. The frequency of reactivation for patients with multisystem disease was higher than described in the literature, probably because maintenance chemotherapy was used only in two cases.

Compliance with a protocol for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood

BACKGROUND: Remission rates achieved after the initial treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia may be similar in both developed and developing countries, but relapse rates are much higher in the latter. Thus, other reasons are needed, in addition to biological characteristics of the leukemic cells themselves, to explain the unfavorable evolution of patients living in unfavorable socioeconomic and cultural conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate compliance to an acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment protocol. .... The median white blood cell count was higher when compared with the protocol recommendations; the median 6-MP dose was lower than the standard recommended dose. The estimated probability of event-free survival was higher for patients with lower median leukocyte counts and close to those predetermined by the protocol. Event-free survival was also higher for children with a higher percentage of days without chemotherapy due to bone marrow or liver toxicity excluding undue interruptions. In multivariate analysis, both factors remained statistically significant. These results suggest that the intensity of maintenance chemotherapy may not have been enough in some children, to achieve adequate myelosuppression, hence the observation of higher leukocyte counts and none or rare episodes of therapy interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance to the therapeutic protocol by both doctors and patients should always be considered in the evaluation of therapeutic failure in acute lymphoblastic leukemia; strict adherence to treatment protocols contributes to better treatment results in acute lymphoblastic leukemia children.

Compliance with a protocol for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Remission rates achieved after the initial treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia may be similar in both developed and developing countries, but relapse rates are much higher in the latter. Thus, other reasons are needed, in addition to biological characteristics of the leukemic cells themselves, to explain the unfavorable evolution of patients living in unfavorable socioeconomic and cultural conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate compliance to an acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment protocol. METHODS: MAIN ABSTRACTED DATA WERE: total duration and reasons for interruption of chemotherapy, prescribed doses of 6-mercaptopurine, and median white blood cell and neutrophil counts during the maintenance phase. Interruptions of chemotherapy were considered inappropriate if they did not follow predetermined criteria established in the protocol. RESULTS: Fourteen of 73 patients (19.2%) unduly interrupted chemotherapy by determination of their physicians. The median white blood cell count was higher when compared with the protocol recommendations; the median 6-MP dose was lower than the standard recommended dose. The estimated probability of event-free survival was higher for patients with lower median leukocyte counts and close to those predetermined by the protocol. Event-free survival was also higher for children with a higher percentage of days without chemotherapy due to bone marrow or liver toxicity excluding undue interruptions. In multivariate analysis, both factors remained statistically significant. These results suggest that the intensity of maintenance chemotherapy may not have been enough in some children, to achieve adequate myelosuppression, hence the observation of higher leukocyte counts and none or rare episodes of therapy interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance to the therapeutic protocol by both doctors and patients should always be considered in the evaluation of therapeutic failure in acute lymphoblastic leukemia; strict adherence to treatment protocols contributes to better treatment results in acute lymphoblastic leukemia children.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: 37 cases in a single brazilian institution.

OBJECTIVES: To improve the level of 'definitive' diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis by immunohistochemical investigation of the CD1a surface antigen and to compare outcomes in respect to age, gender, stage of the disease, treatment response and level of diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of 37 children and adolescents with possible Langerhans cell histiocytosis between 1988 and 2008. The diagnoses were revisited using immunohistochemical investigations for CD1a, S-100 and CD68 in an attempt to reach definitive diagnoses for all cases. RESULTS: Before the study, only 13 of 37 patients (35.1%) had a 'definitive' diagnosis; by the end of the study, this number rose to 25 patients (67.6%). All reviewed cases were positive for the CD1a antigen. Overall survival was 88.5%. Multisystem disease (Stage 2; n=19) and absence of response at the 6th week of therapy (n=5) were associated to significantly lower overall survival (p-value = 0.04 and 0.0001, respectively). All deaths occurred in patients with multisystem disease and organ dysfunction at diagnosis. Other potential prognostic factors were not significant. Reactivation episodes occurred in 75% of the patients with multisystem disease. Diabetes insipidus was the most common sequel (21.6%). CONCLUSION: The level of diagnostic accuracy was increased through immunohistochemistry. The overall survival rate was similar to international multicentric studies. Multisystem disease and absence of response at six weeks of treatment were the most important unfavorable prognostic factors. The frequency of reactivation for patients with multisystem disease was higher than described in the literature, probably because maintenance chemotherapy was used only in two cases.

Pandemia do vírus influenza A H1N1: experiência da abordagem pediátrica no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG / Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 virus: pediatric experience in the Clinical Hospital of UFMG

Introdução: apresenta-se revisão histórica com as características do vírus influenza A H1N1 e a evolução da pandemia. Objetivos: observar o comportamento da população pediátrica e comparar temporalmente as ações e as recomendações dos protocolos do Ministério da Saúde vigentes em cada momento. Métodos: trata-se de estudo descritivo das ações tomadas pelo Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas para atendimento hospitalar e ambulatorial pediátrico dos casos suspeitos ou confirmados de infecção pelo novo vírus. Resultados: nas publicações mundiais atuais, a infecção pelo vírus influenza A H1N1 na faixa pediátrica mostrou ter mais gravidade nos pacientes com comorbidades. A evolução das crianças que não apresentavam comorbidades foi semelhante à da influenza sazonal. Conclusões: é importante o levantamento de dados brasileiros no preparo para uma possível segunda onda de infecção por esse vírus ou outro mutante. (AU)

Introduction: This is a historical review of the influenza A vírus H1N1 subtype and the pandemic evolution. Objectives: To observe the behavior of the pediatric population and to compare over time the actions and recommendations of the protocols of the Ministério da Saúde in effect at any time. Methods: This is a descriptive study of the actions taken by the Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais for hospital and outpatient pediatric cases of suspected or confirmed infection by this new virus. Results: The current publications worldwide show that the infection with influenza A H1N1 in pediatric patients was shown to be more serious in patients with comorbidities. The development of children who had no comorbidities was similar to seasonal influenza. Conclusions: Data collection in Brazil is important in preparation for a possible second infection stage by this virus or other mutants. (AU)