Preparing children to be bone marrow donors.
OBJECTIVE
To review literature regarding children as bone marrow donors and describe the evaluation of an individualized intervention to support children who will be donors for parents or siblings.


METHODS
Research studies, abstracts, and clinical reports describing interventions or psychosocial issues related to child donors, parent interviews, and clinical experiences.


RESULTS
Child marrow donors and caregivers benefit from interventions that illuminate the process and provide psychosocial support. Use of a teaching book enhances intervention and provides a tool for parents to use after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial distress in child marrow donors and parents can be minimized through education and therapeutic interventions. Research is needed to validate the efficacy of interventions and determine whether psychosocial complications are decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Child donors, especially those for parents, should receive support and attention for their unique psychosocial needs.
Heiney
Sue P
SP
Psychosocial Oncology Department, South Carolina Cancer Center, Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC, USA. sue.heiney@palmettohealth.org
Bryant
Lisa H
LH
Godder
Kamar
K
Michaels
Jill
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology