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[Ethical dilemmas for end-of-life decisions in the perinatal period]
1Service de pédiatrie et néonatologie, Centre hospitalier de Courbevoie Neuilly-sur-Seine, 36, boulevard du Général-Leclerc, BP 79, 92205 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. j.ropert@chcn.net
Insights
French neonatal intensive care units report that medical decisions cause nearly 50% of infant deaths. Neonatologists developed guidelines for end-of-life care in the perinatal period, addressing ethical principles and staff obligations.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Medical Ethics
- Healthcare Policy
Context:
- Recent surveys indicate approximately 50% of deaths in French neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) stem from medical decisions.
- This statistic 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 navigating complex end-of-life situations.
Summary:
- The guidelines define key terms and address various clinical scenarios relevant to end-of-life care.
- They outline the ethical principles guiding these decisions, emphasizing patient well-being and family support.
- The document details the obligations of both medical and nursing staff involved in perinatal end-of-life care.
Impact:
- Aims to standardize and improve the quality of end-of-life care in French NICUs.
- Provides a crucial resource for healthcare providers to manage sensitive ethical dilemmas.
- Contributes to a more consistent and ethically sound approach to perinatal palliative care.
Abstract:
According to several recent surveys, around 50% of the deaths occurring nowadays in French neonatal intensive care units result from a medical decision. This has led French neonatologists to set up guidelines for end-of-life decisions and practice in the perinatal period, which are presented in this paper. It covers definitions, clinical situations, ethical principles, obligations of the medical and nursing staff.