Evolution of the medical practices and modes of death on pediatric intensive care units in southern Brazil.

Objectives: To study the possible change on mode of deaths, medical decision practices, and family participation on decisions for limiting life-sustaining treatments (L-LST) over a period of 13 yrs in three pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in southern Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a retrospective chart review (1988 and 1998) and on prospective data collection (from May 1999 to May 2000).

Setting: Three PICUs in Porto Alegre, southern Brazilian region.