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Noninitiation or withdrawal of intensive care for high-risk newborns
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Noninitiation or withdrawal of intensive care for high-risk newborns

Edward F Bell and Committee on Fetus and Newborn, American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatrics (Evanston), Vol.119(2), pp.401-403
02/2007
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-3180
PMID: 17272630

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Abstract

Advances in medical technology have led to dilemmas in initiation and withdrawal of intensive care of newborn infants with a very poor prognosis. Physicians and parents together must make difficult decisions guided by their understanding of the child's best interest. The foundation for these decisions consists of several key elements: (1) direct and open communication between the health care team and the parents of the child with regard to the medical status, prognosis, and treatment options; (2) inclusion of the parents as active participants in the decision process; (3) continuation of comfort care even when intensive care is not being provided; and (4) treatment decisions that are guided primarily by the best interest of the child.
Withholding Treatment - ethics Critical Care - standards Humans Risk Factors Withholding Treatment - standards Critical Care - ethics Infant, Newborn Practice Guidelines as Topic

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