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Related Experiment Videos

Death in neonatal intensive care

N P Kelly1, S R Rowley, J E Harding

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|October 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Treatment withdrawal is common in neonatal intensive care, often acknowledging inevitable death. Elective withdrawal is rare, typically for severe congenital issues or birth asphyxia, following formal procedures.

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Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Bioethics

Background:

  • Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) manage critically ill newborns.
  • Decisions regarding treatment withdrawal are complex and ethically challenging.
  • Understanding the frequency and rationale for treatment withdrawal is crucial for quality improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of treatment withdrawal in neonates who died in a NICU.
  • To identify the reasons behind decisions to withdraw treatment.
  • To review the procedures followed during treatment withdrawal.

Main Methods:

  • A 12-month retrospective review of medical and nursing records.
  • Analysis of 67 neonatal deaths within the study period.
Keywords:
Death and EuthanasiaEmpirical ApproachNational Women's Hospital (Auckland)

Related Experiment Videos

  • Categorization of treatment withdrawal cases based on infant condition.

    • Main Results:

    • Treatment was withdrawn in 52 of 67 deaths, often for infants who were already dying.
    • Withdrawal was based on severe congenital abnormalities in 9 infants.
    • Severe acquired brain damage led to withdrawal in 6 infants.

    Conclusions:

    • Treatment withdrawal is frequent in NICUs, frequently signifying the recognition of inevitable outcomes.
    • Elective withdrawal is uncommon in immature infants but occurs in cases of severe abnormalities or birth asphyxia.
    • Formal procedures guide elective treatment withdrawal decisions in specific neonatal cases.