Critical care decisions in fetal and neonatal medicine: ethical issues
Published: Thu, 16 November 2006Advances in medicine mean that families and health professionals can be faced with very difficult decisions about the care of extremely premature or seriously ill babies, which may concern:
- the care of a fetus and mother prior to birth;
- whether to resuscitate a newborn baby, and admit him or her to neonatal intensive care; and
- whether to continue intensive care or replace active treatment with palliative care.
These decisions are complex, emotionally demanding and may have lifelong consequences. The Report examines the ethical, social and legal issues which may be raised in critical care decision-making and makes practical recommendations for future policy and practice. It provides guidelines to help parents and professionals make decisions about instituting intensive care for extremely premature and seriously ill babies. The following topics are also covered: decision making during pregnancy when fetal abnormalities are present; how the best interests of a baby may be assessed; the lifelong implications for a baby and their family; the decision-making process and the resolution of disputes; social and economic implications; and information requirements, including the need for research.
Last Updated Fri, 22 June 2007
