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Consent to autopsy for neonates.

H E McHaffie1, P W Fowlie, R Hume

  • 1Medical Ethics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. hazel@mchaffie.f9.co.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|June 23, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Parents

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Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Pathology
  • Bioethics

Background:

  • Treatment withdrawal in neonates is a sensitive area.
  • Understanding parental perspectives on autopsy is crucial for ethical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate parental views on postmortem examinations following neonatal treatment withdrawal.
  • To identify factors influencing consent for autopsy in bereaved parents.

Main Methods:

  • Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 108 bereaved parents (59 couples) whose infants underwent treatment withdrawal discussions.
  • Data collected on parental consent, reasons for refusal, and satisfaction with the process.

Main Results:

  • Autopsy consent was obtained from 62% of parents.
  • Key reasons for refusal included concerns about disfigurement, desire for peace, and lack of unanswered questions.
  • Parental decision-making was influenced by diagnosis, infant age, and clinician approach.
  • No parents expressed regret regarding their autopsy decision at 13 months post-loss.

Conclusions:

  • Parental perceptions significantly impact consent rates for neonatal postmortem examinations.
  • Autopsy consent rates in the East of Scotland were 62% in this cohort.
  • Addressing parental concerns is vital for improving autopsy consent and respecting family wishes.

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