Prevalence of life-limiting conditions in children and young people in England: time trends by area type.
Palliative care services in England lack data on the number of children with 'life limiting conditions' (LLCs). Recent research determined that the prevalence of LLCs in children in England was double previous estimates. We build on this by analysing time-trends in the prevalence of LLCs by small area deprivation and geodemographic area types. Prevalence is highest for children aged less than one year but time trends show no increase for the youngest age group but significant increases for older children. These increases are mirrored by a decrease in all cause mortality for children suggesting improved survival. Rates are highest in more deprived areas and those typified by multicultural populations. Increasing prevalence and number of cases over time may require increased paediatric palliative care service provision in the future.
Centre for Spatial Analysis & Policy, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, West Yorkshire, UK. Electronic address: p.d.norman@leeds.ac.uk.
Paul
P
Norman
Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
Lorna
L
Fraser
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D010166:Palliative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Deprivation; Hospital Episode Statistics; Life-limiting conditions; ONS Supergroups; Palliative care