Noninitiation or withdrawal of intensive care for high-risk newborns.
Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, 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.
Medical subject headings
- Critical Care
- Withholding Treatment