Primary and Acquired Immune Deficiency Disorders

Children and adolescents living with primary or secondary immunodeficiencies often have an unpredictable prognosis and benefit from palliative care as a standard part of their regular care. This chapter illustrates the challenges faced by children and adolescents living with HIV, which have parallels to issues encountered by children with other immunodeficiencies. The nuances of palliative care management for children living with HIV are detailed according to various aspects of care: physical; structure and process of care of patients and families; psychological and psychiatric; social, cultural, spiritual, religious, and existential; ethical and legal, and care of the patient nearing the end of life.