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[Ethical dilemmas in the perinatal period: guidelines for end-of-life decisions]

M Dehan1, F Gold, M Grassin

  • 1Service de pédiatrie et réanimation néonatales, hôpital Antoine-Béclère, 157, rue de la Porte-de-Trivaux, 92141 Clamart, France. michel.dehan@abc.ap-hop-paris.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|May 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

French neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) report that approximately 50% of deaths stem from medical decisions. This paper outlines new guidelines for end-of-life care in the perinatal period, addressing ethical considerations and clinical practices.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Medical Ethics
  • Perinatal Care

Context:

  • Recent surveys indicate that around 50% of deaths in French neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are a result of medical decisions.
  • This highlights a significant ethical and clinical challenge in perinatal care.

Purpose:

  • To present newly established guidelines for end-of-life decisions and practices in the perinatal period.
  • To provide a framework for neonatologists and healthcare professionals in managing complex end-of-life situations.

Summary:

  • The guidelines cover essential definitions, various clinical scenarios, and core ethical principles relevant to neonatal end-of-life care.
  • They also detail the obligations of medical and nursing staff and address specific conditions that may lead to ethical dilemmas.
  • The focus is on structured decision-making in critical neonatal care.

Impact:

  • Aims to standardize and improve the quality of end-of-life care in French NICUs.
  • Provides a resource for healthcare professionals to navigate ethically challenging situations with greater clarity and consistency.
  • Contributes to a more humane and ethically sound approach to neonatal mortality in intensive care settings.

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