2024 Volume 60 Issue 5 Pages 783-787
Purpose: The number of children requiring daily medical care [i.e., children with medical care (CMC)] is increasing. In 2021, there were 20,000 such children nationwide. CMC include children with pediatric surgical diseases (PSD) requiring central venous nutrition, enteral feeding or urinary drainage, and many of them are so-called ‘walkable children with medical care’ without major mental or motor developmental disorders. In this study, we aim to clarify the issues faced by CMC with PSD in the community.
Methods: Among the patients whose parents contacted the Hokkaido Support Center for CMC between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the consultation details and responses of CMC with PSD were examined retrospectively from the support records.
Results: Among the 172 new consultations in total during this period, there were five CMC with PSD. The primary diseases were total colonic Hirschsprung’s disease, allied disorders of Hirschsprung’s disease, congenital diaphragmatic hernia combined with omphalocele, tracheomalacia associated with congenital esophageal atresia, and persistent cloaca. All were preschool children, and their parents consulted about the use of kindergartens or nursery schools and the support system for their schooling. We supported nurseries that accepted CMC with their attending physicians and local health and educational institutions.
Conclusion: For CMC with PSD, it is expected that pediatric surgeons are actively involved in providing advice and training to reduce the anxiety of those who accept them and that they are guaranteed the same educational opportunities and social activities as children who do not need medical care.
