The Dying Process (Child)

The body goes through many changes in the dying process. Knowing the common symptoms may help families and children know what to expect when they happen. In some cases, the dying process can be very long. Understanding the physical and mental changes the body goes through as death happens may help ease some fears and falsehoods about death. Always talk with your child's healthcare provider about any concerns or questions.

These are common symptoms that death is near. But each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Changes in breathing. Slow and fast breathing or long periods without a breath are common. Moaning may happen with breaths. But this doesn't necessarily mean the child is in pain.

• Noisy breathing. This may be from secretions the child is unable to clear from their throat or lungs.

• Physical disfigurement. This may be from a progressive tumor.

• Skin color changes. Pale, bluish, mottled, or blotchy skin is common. This is from a decrease in oxygen and the body's circulation slowing down.

• Loss of bowel and urine control

• Mental confusion. Confusion or decreased alertness may happen just before death.

Death has happened when the child's heart is not beating and there are no signs of breathing.