Growth in the face of overwhelming pressure: A narrative review of sibling donor experiences in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Andrea D Winther Klippenstein, Caroline C Piotrowski, Janice Winkler and 1 others
PMID 34570621WHAT IT FOUND
Pediatric sibling donors experience significant distress, including fear of needles, pressure to donate, and isolation from parents.
However, many also report personal growth, such as closer family bonds and a greater sense of purpose, alongside these negative effects.
Key findings
01All 21 studies reviewed reported that pediatric sibling donors experienced some form of psychosocial distress during the donation process.
02Sibling donors reported feeling overwhelmed pressure to donate, with some describing a lack of autonomy or choice in the decision.
03Despite distress, many sibling donors described post-traumatic growth, including a greater appreciation for life, closer relationships with family, and increased personal strength.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The included studies primarily used cross-sectional and descriptive designs with small samples. Only English-language articles were included. Most studies explored the experience of multiple family members, making it difficult to isolate the unique perspective of the sibling donor. The wide variety of ages across studies prevented a developmental analysis of post-traumatic growth. As a narrative review, it does not provide the same level of evidence as a systematic review or meta-analysis.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that reporting growth means the donation experience was positive or free of harm. The review shows that distress and growth coexist; acknowledging growth should not minimize the significant anxiety, pressure, and isolation siblings experience.