Palliative care for children

This statement presents an integrated model for providing palliative care f or children living with a life-threatening or terminal condition. Advice on the development of a palliative care plan and on working with parents and children is also provided. Barriers to the provision of effective pediatric palliative care and potential solutions are identified. The American Acade my of Pediatrics recommends the development and broad availability of pedia tric palliative care services based on child-specific guidelines and standa rds. Such services will require widely distributed and effective palliative care education of pediatric health care professionals. The Academy offers guidance on responding to requests for hastening death, but does not suppor t the practice of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia for children.