[Birth after late termination of pregnancy: a neonatologist's point of view]

Maria Serenella Pignotti1

  • 1Medicina Neonatale, Azienda Ospedaliera A.Meyer, Università, Firenze. m.pignotti@meyer.it

The bioethical dilemma of late termination of pregnancy in the Italian scenario is discussed in the light of the Italian legislation governing this issue (194/1978). The law obliges practitioners to evaluate the viability of the fetus/newborn at birth in order to decide strategies of treatment. If there is a chance of survival then the neonate could be a candidate for resuscitation and intensive care.