Considerations in Transition of Pediatric Neurology Patients to Adult Care

Background

Transition refers to the planned, coordinated movement of adolescents from the child- and family-centered environment of pediatric care to the adult healthcare system. A well-structured transition process is essential for ensuring adolescents with chronic health conditions continue to thrive in young adulthood. Poor transitions can lead to negative health outcomes, worsening of comorbidities such as anxiety and depression, and poorer psychosocial well-being.

Methods

This topical review combines literature from general pediatrics, adolescent medicine, general child neurology, and child neurology subspecialities to provide holistic recommendations for the transition of pediatric patients to adulthood.

Conclusions

Core principles of transition include starting transition planning early, creating individualized transition plans, providing support before transition, and ensuring ongoing support after transition to adult care. For adolescents with neurological conditions, additional considerations include recognizing that many childhood neurological disorders are now lifelong conditions, addressing the impact of varying levels of intellectual disability, reevaluating the diagnosis at the time of transfer, and establishing emergency care planning.