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

J C Ropert1

  • 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

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|May 10, 2002
PubMed

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.

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