Mental health and developmental disabilities in US children admitted in hospice care

Background: Of the 40 000 children who die annually in the US, thousands are admitted to hospice care. Little is known about the mental health and developmental disabilities of these children. Aims: To describe the mental health and developmental disabilities of children who are admitted to hospice care and compare this across age groups. Methods: The 2011 to 2013 US Medicaid files were used. The sample included 6195 children with a diagnosis of a mental health and/or developmental disability. Comparisons were calculated using the Pearson chi-square test. Results: Mental health conditions, including anxiety (31.0%), depression (33.1%), behavioural disorders (33.9%) and affective disorders (34.8%), were highest among children aged between 15 and 20 years. Developmental delays were common in children under a year, while intellectual disabilities were highest in the 15 to 20 years age group. Conclusions: Nurses have an important role in understanding the mental health and developmental disabilities of children admitted to hospice care.