Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
Published on: January 7, 2018
[Twenty-five week limit for viability of the foetus is too rigid]
1Erasmus MC-Sophia Kinderziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, sub-afd. Neonatologie, Postbus 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam. j.vangoudoever@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
Withholding treatment from premature infants solely based on gestational age disadvantages viable children. Individual assessment is crucial to determine eligibility for life-saving interventions and ensure quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Perinatal Care
- Pediatric Ethics
Context:
- Premature infants born before 25 weeks gestation often face a priori treatment limitations.
- Current practices may lead to suboptimal outcomes for potentially viable infants.
- Gestational age alone is an insufficient criterion for treatment decisions.
Purpose:
- To advocate for individualized treatment decisions in extremely premature infants.
- To challenge the sole reliance on gestational age for determining medical interventions.
- To highlight the ethical imperative of assessing viability on a case-by-case basis.
Summary:
- A priori treatment withholding based solely on gestational age (< 25 weeks) disadvantages some premature infants.
- Individualized assessment is necessary to determine the viability and potential benefit of treatment for these infants.
- Such an approach can enable children to lead qualitatively good lives.
Impact:
- Promotes more equitable and ethical care for extremely premature neonates.
- Encourages a shift towards personalized medicine in neonatal intensive care.
- Potentially improves survival rates and long-term quality of life for vulnerable infants.
Abstract:
The a-priori withholding of treatment from premature infants based on gestational age only (< 25 weeks) puts a number of children born each year who would otherwise benefit from treatment and be able to lead a qualitatively good life at a disadvantage. Treating each case individually is necessary in order to decide if these children are viable.
