Medically complex children are a vulnerable population that has significant chronic conditions in two or more body systems or a single dominant condition that requires special pediatric care. There are approximately 3 million medically complex children in the United States and the population is growing. Children with medical complexity comprise a disproportionate number of pediatric intensive care unit admissions and are at higher risk of associated morbidity and mortality. Care of critically ill medically complex children requires a collaborative approach, involving providers from multiple specialties and disciplines. Many of these children are technology-dependent and have complicated therapeutic regimens, adding further complexity to the management and transitions of care. Their care is also complicated by the trust and emotional attachment of the patient and family to the primary subspecialty which can result in challenges during stressful situations or end of life care.
In this Research Topic, experts from around the world are welcome to discuss the available evidence and background pertinent to the care of medically complex critically ill children.
Authors are encouraged to submit investigations or reviews of all types (basic science, translational, clinical, epidemiological, ethical, and quality improvement) related to issues in medically complex children requiring intensive care services. In addition to pediatric critical care medicine, submissions are encouraged from other specialties who participate in the care of medically complex children in the pediatric intensive care unit such as palliative care, pulmonology, hematology/oncology, neurology, nephrology, endocrinology, gastroenterology/hepatology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and cardiology.
Medically complex children are a vulnerable population that has significant chronic conditions in two or more body systems or a single dominant condition that requires special pediatric care. There are approximately 3 million medically complex children in the United States and the population is growing. Children with medical complexity comprise a disproportionate number of pediatric intensive care unit admissions and are at higher risk of associated morbidity and mortality. Care of critically ill medically complex children requires a collaborative approach, involving providers from multiple specialties and disciplines. Many of these children are technology-dependent and have complicated therapeutic regimens, adding further complexity to the management and transitions of care. Their care is also complicated by the trust and emotional attachment of the patient and family to the primary subspecialty which can result in challenges during stressful situations or end of life care.
In this Research Topic, experts from around the world are welcome to discuss the available evidence and background pertinent to the care of medically complex critically ill children.
Authors are encouraged to submit investigations or reviews of all types (basic science, translational, clinical, epidemiological, ethical, and quality improvement) related to issues in medically complex children requiring intensive care services. In addition to pediatric critical care medicine, submissions are encouraged from other specialties who participate in the care of medically complex children in the pediatric intensive care unit such as palliative care, pulmonology, hematology/oncology, neurology, nephrology, endocrinology, gastroenterology/hepatology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and cardiology.