Ethics at the end of life in the newborn intensive care unit: Conversations and decisions

被引:3
作者
Mercurio, Mark R. [1 ,4 ]
Gillam, Lynn [2 ,3 ,5 ]
机构
[1] Yale Univ, Sch Med, POB 208064,333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
[2] Univ Melbourne, Dept Paediat, Melbourne, Australia
[3] Royal Childrens Hosp, Childrens Bioeth Ctr, ASTL, Melbourne, Australia
[4] 166 Pawson Rd, Branford, CT 06405 USA
[5] ASTL, 62 Horder Cres, Darley, Vic 3340, Australia
关键词
Newborn; Ethics; Bioethics; Decision making; Shared; Withholding treatment; Neonatal intensive care unit; End of life; NUTRITION; HYDRATION;
D O I
10.1016/j.siny.2023.101438
中图分类号
R72 [儿科学];
学科分类号
100202 ;
摘要
The unexpected birth of a critically ill baby raises many ethical questions for neonatologists. Some of these are obviously ethical questions, about whether to attempt resuscitation, and, if the baby is resuscitated and survives, whether to continue life sustaining interventions. Other ethical decisions are more related to what to say rather than what to do. Although less obvious, they are equally as important, and may also have far-reaching ramifications. This essay presents the story of a newborn with profound hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and reviews decisions regarding resuscitation, withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, withdrawal of medically administered nutrition and hydration, and active euthanasia. An overview of the ethical issues at work at each decision point is presented, as well as guidance regarding discussions with parents throughout the process, including specific wording. This may serve as a helpful guide for ethical deliberation, and helpful scripting for parental discussion, in similar cases.
引用
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页数:6
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