Alexander Rakow
28th May 2007, 10:50
Leading article - June 2007
The Leading article for June 2007 is an article about decision-making for infants born at 23-24 weeks, at the so-called border of viability. The article is highly recommended reading. It is written by William Meadow at the Department of Pediatrics and MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, USA.
The article is published in collaboration with the journal Acta Paediatrica (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0803-5253).
An excerpt is published below and you can read the complete article here (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00124.x).
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Babies between a rock and a hard place—neonatologists vs parents at the edge of infant viability
William Meadow (wlm1@uchicago.edu)
Department of Pediatrics, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
”… One might assume for infants born at 23–24 weeks/450—600 g that parental preferences would determine clinical decisions. However, they rarely do. In survey after survey, neonatologists say that they would ‘see how the infant looks at birth’ or ‘watch how the infant responds to resuscitation’ before deciding what should be done with/for/to the baby…”
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You may comment the article directly below or discuss staffing and related issues in the forum Ethical and Legal Aspects (http://www.99nicu.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16).
The Leading article for June 2007 is an article about decision-making for infants born at 23-24 weeks, at the so-called border of viability. The article is highly recommended reading. It is written by William Meadow at the Department of Pediatrics and MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, USA.
The article is published in collaboration with the journal Acta Paediatrica (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0803-5253).
An excerpt is published below and you can read the complete article here (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00124.x).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Babies between a rock and a hard place—neonatologists vs parents at the edge of infant viability
William Meadow (wlm1@uchicago.edu)
Department of Pediatrics, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
”… One might assume for infants born at 23–24 weeks/450—600 g that parental preferences would determine clinical decisions. However, they rarely do. In survey after survey, neonatologists say that they would ‘see how the infant looks at birth’ or ‘watch how the infant responds to resuscitation’ before deciding what should be done with/for/to the baby…”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You may comment the article directly below or discuss staffing and related issues in the forum Ethical and Legal Aspects (http://www.99nicu.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16).