Nursing care for children and adolescents with epidermolysis bullosa: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the scientific production regarding actions/Nursing Interventions in hospital environments related to the care of children and adolescents with epidermolysis bullosa. Methods: This is a systematic review, which was searched in the CINAHL, MEDLINE®/PubMed®, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases, carried out from September 2020 to January 2021. For the search, the descriptors "epidermólise bolhosa" AND "criança" AND "adolescente" AND "enfermagem" were used, in Portuguese, in the LILACS and SciELO databases, and "epidermolysis bullosa" AND "children" AND "adolescent" AND "nursing" in the other databases. Results: There was a greater number of articles published based on the guiding question having the United States as the country of origin (22%). Most of the classification was at level VI (44%) of scientific evidence. Still, 86% of studies involved research for the care plan. The evidence found resulted from expert opinions, case studies and consensus. The most cited care factors were skin care plans, diaper changing, clothing care and non-stick coating use. Conclusion: The surveys reported difficulties regarding the availability of materials, treatment and specialized professionals, in addition to limitations of knowledge in clinical practice focused on the characteristics of epidermolysis bullosa. Among the care, there was emphasis on information about the wound complexity and characteristics as a way of anticipating care strategies.