Transition of long-term ventilated children to adult medical care

Abstract

Through advances in long-term ventilation, the number of children with chronic respiratory insufficiency reaching adult age has increased tremendously. Therefore, transition of children from pediatric to adult care has become inevitable. Transition is necessary for medicolegal reasons, to increase autonomy of the young patients and because of change in the disease as a result of increasing age. Transition bears the risks of uncertainty of patients and parents, loss of the medical home or even loss of complete medical care. Good structural conditions, professional preparation of patient and parents, a comprehensive formalized transfer and patient coaching are prerequisites for a successful professional transition. This article discusses issues of transition with focus on long-term ventilated children.