Caring for Children Who Have Severe Neurological Impairment

Julie M. Hauer, M.D., is an assistant professor, medical director of Seven Hills Pediatric Center, and a staff member in General Pediatrics, Complex Care Service, at Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School.

• Foreword, by Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPHPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Caring for a Child Who Has Severe Neurological Impairment: An Overview2. Impairment of the Central Nervous System: Specific Conditions3. Treating Pain and Other Distressing Symptoms: An Overview4. Pain: Evaluation and Treatment5. Gastrointestinal Problems: Retching, Vomiting, Feeding Intolerance, and Other Problems6. Respiratory Problems: Pneumonia, Excessive Secretions, and Respiratory Distress7. Problems of the Central Nervous System: Spasticity, Dystonia, Dysautonomia, Seizures, andRelated Problems8. Changes from the Expected: Sleep, Temperature, Heart Rate, Sodium Levels, Puberty, Growth, and Nutrition9. Decision Making10. Care at the End of LifeGlossaryIndex

Caring for Children Who Have Severe Neurological Impairment... is the only book that has even made an attempt to tackle this difficult topic in any meaningful sort of way. The author has succeeded in creating what should become the caregiving Bible for any family of a child with severe neurological impairment regardless of diagnosis, or any medical provider for this population... The information provided, and the approaches recommended, are too important to be overlooked... Caring for Children Who Have Severe Neurological Impairment: A Life with Grace is highly recommended and should be on the bookshelf of every parent dealing with complex medical issues. -- Susan Agrawal Complex Child For the health-care professional who provides care or interaction at any level to SNI patients, this books is a valuable resource. This is also a great resource to refer to family members and care givers. It helps with understanding and assists with developing questions for the health-care team. The family members reading this book will increase their abilities to advocate for their child's medical, social, and emotional needs. It provides tools and information that promotes dignity and respect for life in all its phases. -- Marilyn Mills Journal of Radiology Nursing