Palliative Care for Children

When your child has been diagnosed with a serious or chronic medical condition, managing the symptoms and the side effects of treatment are part of everyday life. This is true for your child as well as your entire family.

Children who have serious medical conditions such as genetic conditions, prematurity, neurologic disorders, cancer, heart disease, and lung conditions often deal with pain and stress along with the physical effects of their conditions. We know that as a parent, you want your child to enjoy life despite these challenges. Palliative care services that comfort and support your child and family during medical treatment are provided by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.

The pediatric advanced care team at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone includes certified pediatric palliative care doctors, licensed clinical social workers, a nurse practitioner, a chaplain, child life specialists, a music therapist, and an integrative medicine practitioner. Our palliative care program has received specialty certification from The Joint Commission, which reflects our commitment to providing the best possible quality of life for children.

Our pediatric advanced care team can help your child in the following ways:

• easing the symptoms that are adding to your child’s distress and discomfort, including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping
• improving communication among family members, and between your family and the medical team
• ensuring that your family’s values, beliefs, and preferences are respected during discussions about your child’s care goals and options
• working together with you and your child’s healthcare team so that your child’s medical options match up with your goals for your child

The pediatric advanced care team provides palliative care to children in the hospital. Palliative care is also available at home through our partner organizations.