LAUSR

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.