This study aimed to better understand the meaning of chronic disease for school-age children. It involves qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research. The field-research was performed in a pediatric clinic of a University Hospital in Brazil. Seven pediatric inpatients in the aforementioned institution with chronic illness, aged seven to twelve years of age participated in the study. The data was collected via semi-structured interviews and followed thematic interpretation principles. The results showed that these children experience chronic disease as something which imposes limitations and difficulties on their daily lives. However, there have been reports of children showing the understanding of disease as something normal, evidencing that they don't know what it is to live without experiencing the illness. The chronic illness leads the child to try to understand the situation and to cooperate with the treatment. It may promote the development of onerous feelings like fear, shame, sadness, and doubts concerning the past, present, and future.
Chronic disease; Child hospitalized; Pediatric nursing
