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Navigating the ethical challenges in the care of a critically ill infant

Aliyyah Mohammad Khuzaini1, Najwa Farhana Binti Norman1, Muhammad Abubakar Uthman Mohd Nazri1

  • 1Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, MALAYSIA.

Indian Journal of Medical Ethics
|November 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Managing premature infants with unexplained neuromuscular symptoms presents ethical challenges. This case highlights dilemmas in palliative care decisions and parental autonomy when prognosis is uncertain.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Medical Ethics
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Premature infants may present with complex, unexplained neuromuscular symptoms.
  • Managing these cases involves significant diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty.
  • Ethical considerations are paramount in neonatal intensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the ethical challenges in managing a premature infant with unexplained neuromuscular symptoms.
  • To explore dilemmas surrounding palliative care initiation without a definitive diagnosis.
  • To emphasize the role of parental autonomy in end-of-life decisions for neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Ethical analysis of clinical decision-making.
  • Review of principles in neonatal end-of-life care.

Main Results:

  • The case illustrates difficulties in balancing intensive care with palliative approaches.
  • Ethical questions arise regarding the continuation of care with uncertain prognosis.
  • Parental involvement in decision-making is a critical ethical component.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal end-of-life care requires continuous ethical deliberation.
  • Sensitive communication is essential when navigating complex decisions for premature infants.
  • This case underscores the importance of respecting parental autonomy in uncertain situations.

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