Abstract

SOUSA NETO, Raquel de; TARABAY, Christina Haas  and  LOURENCO, Maria Teresa Cruz. Reflections on the child’s visit during the hospitalization of a loved one in an adult ICU. Rev. SBPH [online]. 2017, vol.20, n.1, pp.5-16. ISSN 1516-0858.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitals, usually, regulate the minimum age of 12 for children entering adult ICUs. However, younger children express the will of being participatory in the process of a relative's hospitalization in this context, which causes the health team to reflect. GOALS: To reflect on the emotional aspects related to children under 12 years old visiting relatives in adult ICUs. METHOD: It was held narrative review of the literature and exploratory retrospective study of a single case. DEVELOPMENT: It was noticed that socio cultural factors influence the health professionals and parents attitude towards the child’s desire of visiting a relative in the ICU. Communication proves to be a positive factor for the grieving processes elaboration, while the impossibility to express themselves may cause damage to the children’s development. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It was highlighted that the visits to the patient in ICU helps the coping and the grieving process of the child.

Keywords : intensive care units; coping; child health; parents-child communication; grief.

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