Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy- Home Infusion Works

Having a child with a chronic disease and adapting the child to receive a lifelong treatment which recquires hospitalization at regular intervals is difficult. In addition to financial and moral difficulties of frequent hospital admissions, it also increases the risk of infection. The aim of this abstract is to emphasize the importance and advantages of home infusion treatment which can be considered as an alternative treatment method. We included ten patients diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) who were being followed by our Pediatric Neurology Department. Four of our patients were enrolled from outside the city. After completion of 8 weeks of treatment in our hospital every week for intravenous drug administration, consent form was obtained from the family for home infusion. When the patients switched to home therapy; they were given intravenous access by specialist nurses every week, and the appropriate drug dose was administered intravenously. During the infusion vital signs were followed up and shared with physicians. There were no complications observed during 6 month period in the patients who are still continuing their treatment at home. In conclusion; home treatment with an experienced team should definitely be considered among the treatment options as it provides convenience in many moral and financial ways which increases the quality of life of the child and the family who are struggling with a chronic disease. Our application denotes that home treatment can be realized in other chronic disorders, genetic or not.