Clinical Characteristic of Paediatric Palliative Care Cases in North Eastern of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Paediatric Palliative care has been a relatively new specialty in Malaysia. It serves to cater hospital and community support for children with life-limiting illnesses (LLI). The aim of the study is to describe the clinical char- acteristic of Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) cases in the North East of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Children with LLI were identified through 2 databases captured by the ‘Sayangku’ Homecare team and Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) team. These databases include the details on clinical diagnosis, time of referral and outcome. Children includ- ed were those referred from November 2012 to March 2020 to PPC service. The number of new cases referred per annum (2019) was compared to the crude estimation of prevalence. Results: A total of 216 children were included. About half of the children with LLI (50.5%) were from group 4 and about a quarter from group 1 (27%) of the ACT/ RCPCH classification. Approximately one third of our cohort (31%) had died, majority from oncology causes. There were 116 neurology cases, 60 oncology cases and further 48 cases were the remaining cases in our databases. More than one third (37.5%) of the patients were in the age range of 11-18-year-old. The estimated cases under PPC was only 7.7% from the estimated annual prevalence of LLI. Conclusion: The current data showed that many of the LLI cases in our area have gone underreported. There is a need to disseminate information and awareness among the medical fraternity on the patient’s eligibility for the PPC service.