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Ethical principles and parental choice: treatment options for neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Vicki L Zeigler1

  • 1College of Nursing, and Center for Nonlinear Science, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, USA.

Pediatric Nursing
|March 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Nurses play a vital role in supporting families of neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) through complex treatment decisions. Ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, and veracity guide nurses in facilitating informed consent for these challenging pediatric congenital heart disease cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neonatal Nursing
  • Bioethics

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) presents significant challenges in neonatal care.
  • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) requires complex treatment decisions with life-altering consequences.
  • Nurses are integral in supporting families through these difficult choices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the unique challenges nurses face when caring for neonates with HLHS.
  • To emphasize the nurse's role as a patient and family advocate in the informed consent process.
  • To identify key ethical principles guiding nursing interventions in HLHS treatment decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on nursing ethics and congenital heart disease.
  • Analysis of the informed consent process in neonatal intensive care.
  • Application of ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, veracity) to nursing practice for HLHS.

Main Results:

  • Nurses' advocacy is crucial for informed consent in HLHS cases.
  • Ethical principles provide a framework for nursing support.
  • Informed decision-making benefits both the child and the family.

Conclusions:

  • Nurses can effectively assist families in making informed decisions for HLHS treatment.
  • Integrating autonomy, beneficence, and veracity enhances nursing care for pediatric CHD.
  • Ethical nursing practice is essential for navigating complex neonatal cardiac care.

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