Preparing Children to Be Bone Marrow Donors

Purpose/Objectives: To review literature regarding children as bone marrow donors and describe the evaluation of an individualized intervention to support children who will be donors for parents or siblings.

Data Source: Research studies, abstracts, and clinical reports describing interventions or psychosocial issues related to child donors, parent interviews, and clinical experiences.

Data Synthesis: Child marrow donors and caregivers benefit from interventions that illuminate the process and provide psychosocial support. Use of a teaching book enhances intervention and provides a tool for parents to use after transplantation.

Conclusions: Psychosocial distress in child marrow donors and parents can be minimized through education and therapeutic interventions. Research is needed to validate the efficacy of interventions and determine whether psychosocial complications are decreased.

Implications for Nursing: Child donors, especially those for parents, should receive support and attention for their unique psychosocial needs.