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Growing up with bone marrow transplantation: repercussions for the quality of life of children and adolescents

Nowadays, various knowledge areas take an increasing interest in the discussion about the quality of life of people submitted to bone marrow transplantation-BMT. This study aims to describe the experiences of children and adolescents who survived this kind of transplantation and to discover how this therapy mode influenced their quality of life. Study participants were 14 children/adolescents who survived BMT. In this qualitative research, data were collected by means of interviews, which were held at the participants' homes or when they returned to hospital. We identified their life as permeated by insecurity, changed body image, physical and emotional problems. These data indicate the importance of understanding the experience of children/adolescents living with bone marrow transplantation, seeking to identify aspects for the intervention and planning of nursing care, so as to contribute to their reinsertion and a better quality of life.

child; adolescent; bone marrow transplantation; pediatric nursing; quality of life


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