Benjamin Tassie1, David Isaacs, Henry Kilham, Ian Kerridge. 1. Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
AIMS: The study aims to: (i) estimate the prevalence of spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA 1); (ii) describe what practices characterise end-of-life care of patients with SMA 1; and (iii) ascertain whether a consistent approach to the management of these patients exists in Australia. METHODS: An audit of the Australasian pathology laboratories offering the diagnostic SMN1 deletion test was conducted for patients diagnosed with SMA in Australia for 2010 and 2011. In addition, a retrospective clinical audit was conducted in eight major Australian paediatric hospitals of the end-of-life care provided to children with confirmed SMA 1 from 2005 to 2010. RESULTS: Thirty-five children were included in the clinical audit, accounting for an estimated 61% of children diagnosed with SMA 1 from 2005 to 2010. Twenty-six per cent were ventilated invasively, only two of whom were intubated after the diagnosis was confirmed. No children were ventilated long term (>90 days) or had a tracheostomy performed. Nasogastric tube feeding was a common measure to support adequate nutritional intake. Total parenteral nutrition, gastrostomy and fundoplication were not provided for any children. Conflict over end-of-life care decisions was documented in one instance, without the involvement of a guardianship tribunal. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a consistent approach in the management of children with SMA 1 in Australia, which can be characterised as 'actively managed dying'. This study could contribute to the development of Australian consensus guidelines for the management of these children. These results also highlight a number of ethical issues related to the management of children with SMA 1.
AIMS: The study aims to: (i) estimate the prevalence of spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA 1); (ii) describe what practices characterise end-of-life care of patients with SMA 1; and (iii) ascertain whether a consistent approach to the management of these patients exists in Australia. METHODS: An audit of the Australasian pathology laboratories offering the diagnostic SMN1 deletion test was conducted for patients diagnosed with SMA in Australia for 2010 and 2011. In addition, a retrospective clinical audit was conducted in eight major Australian paediatric hospitals of the end-of-life care provided to children with confirmed SMA 1 from 2005 to 2010. RESULTS: Thirty-five children were included in the clinical audit, accounting for an estimated 61% of children diagnosed with SMA 1 from 2005 to 2010. Twenty-six per cent were ventilated invasively, only two of whom were intubated after the diagnosis was confirmed. No children were ventilated long term (>90 days) or had a tracheostomy performed. Nasogastric tube feeding was a common measure to support adequate nutritional intake. Total parenteral nutrition, gastrostomy and fundoplication were not provided for any children. Conflict over end-of-life care decisions was documented in one instance, without the involvement of a guardianship tribunal. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a consistent approach in the management of children with SMA 1 in Australia, which can be characterised as 'actively managed dying'. This study could contribute to the development of Australian consensus guidelines for the management of these children. These results also highlight a number of ethical issues related to the management of children with SMA 1.
Authors: Mohamad-Hani A Temsah; Fahad M Al-Sohime; Fahad A Bashiri; Ayman A Al-Eyadhy; Gamal M Hasan; Ali A Alhaboob Journal: Neurosciences (Riyadh) Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 0.906