Pediatric Death by Neurologic Criteria: The Ever-Changing Landscape and the Expanding Role of Palliative Care Professionals

Pediatric palliative care providers are especially suited to support families and medical teams facing a potential diagnosis of brain death, or death by neurologic criteria (DNC), when a child suffers a devastating brain injury. To support pediatric palliative care providers ’ effectiveness in this role, this article elucidates the clinical determination of DNC and the evolution of the ethical and legal controversies surrounding DNC. Conceptual definitions of death used in the context of DNC have been and continue to be debated amongst academicians, and children's fam ilies often have their own concept of death.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Special Article Source Type: research