Grief and bereavement care in pediatric palliative care: Gaps, global disparities, and a proposed integrated framework.

Authors

Karina Castillo, Maria Clara Landivar, Kevin Zambrano, Michella Dirani, Diego Montenegro, Giselle Maldonado, Valeria Macias, Luis Noboa, Emilia Valdivieso, Jose Maria Castillo, Victoria Cortez, Sabine Dueñas, Pablo Salas, Sebastian Garzon, Michelle Grunauer

Published in

Palliative & supportive care. Volume 24. Pages e256. Oct 08, 2026. Epub Oct 08, 2026.

Abstract

Grief and bereavement care (GBC) remains an underrecognized component of pediatric palliative care (PPC), contributing to the emotional and psychological burden experienced by patients, families, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). This perspective review examines gaps in GBC, defines key types of grief in pediatric settings, and proposes a framework to improve patient- and family-centered grief support.
We conducted a narrative perspective review using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify literature on GBC in PPC. Search terms included combinations of "grief," "bereavement," "pediatric palliative care," "children," "caregivers," "siblings," "healthcare professionals," "anticipatory grief," "complicated grief," and "prolonged grief disorder." Publications from 2020 onward were prioritized, with seminal earlier studies included when clinically or conceptually relevant.
GBC in PPC differs from adult models because of developmental considerations, prolonged illness trajectories, and family-centered decision-making. Relevant forms of grief include anticipatory, disenfranchised, complicated, and prolonged grief, affecting patients, families, and HCPs. Effective approaches include early palliative care integration, legacy-making activities, structured communication, and interdisciplinary psychosocial support. However, global disparities persist, and HCPs frequently report inadequate training and institutional support.
GBC should be viewed as a longitudinal, culturally sensitive, system-wide responsibility extending from diagnosis through bereavement. Integrated frameworks emphasizing early communication, patient- and family-centered care, and formal grief training for HCPs may strengthen bereavement support and reduce unmet psychosocial needs across the pediatric illness trajectory.

PMID:
42844897
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Oct 2026.

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