Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate evidence in the literature on palliative extubation in pediatrics in the context of palliative care, in any healthcare setting, to synthesize knowledge, identify gaps, and highlight future research opportunities. DATA SOURCES: The PRISMA-ScR recommendations and the JBI Collaboration method were used. Searches were conducted in: Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The following strategy was used: Population - children and adolescents (0 to 18 years) undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation; Concept - practices, experiences, or approaches related to palliative extubation; Context - palliative care in a hospital, hospice or home setting. Original articles published up to April 2025 were included; those that didn't define age or were over 18 years, opinion pieces, editorials, and conference proceedings were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted the data; discrepancies were resolved by consensus or with a third reviewer. The quality of the studies was assessed using the critical appraisal tools recommended by the JBI. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twelve articles were selected: eight case reports and four cross-sectional studies, totaling 129 patients; 128 were analyzed. In 78.1% of cases, palliative extubation was performed in a hospital setting, mainly in the ICU (72.6%); 93% used an endotracheal tube; 95.3% received analgesia/sedation around the time of extubation; 90.6% died after support withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of practices, experiences, and challenges related to palliative extubation in pediatrics is essential to support clinical decision-making and ensure that it is performed in a timely, responsible, and technically appropriate manner, following the principles of palliative care.