Preparing for Medical Decision-Making in Response to Concerns About Suffering in Children with Severe Neurologic Impairment.

Recognition and mitigation of suffering is central to pediatric care, including the care of children with severe neurologic impairment (SNI). Medical decision-making for children with SNI often occurs in response concerns about suffering-whether in the present state or regarding concerns about potential suffering in the future. While discussion of suffering in this context may be widespread, fixing a precise definition can be challenging.