Lethal Fetal Abnormalities: How To Approach Perinatal Palliative Care?
Title
Lethal Fetal Abnormalities: How To Approach Perinatal Palliative Care?
Creator
Tosello B; Haddad G; Gire C; Einaudi MA
Publisher
Journal Of Maternal, Fetal And Neonatal Medicine
Date
2016
Subject
Obstetrics & Gynecology; Anomalies; Prenatal-diagnosis; Malformations; Pregnancy; Professionals
Ethical Issue; Fetal Abnormality; Information; Palliative Care; Perinatal Medicine
Description
OBJECTIVE:
Some of the antenatally diagnosed fetal pathologies are unlikely to get compatible with life. Still some women choose to continue with pregnancy. Subsequently, perinatal palliative care (PPC) has become a constructive demarche in such situations. Our study, based on a multicentric survey, reports some cases of fetal pathologies considered as lethal according to perinatal professionals and reveals the decisional process in each case.
METHODS:
We sent by emails a questionnaire to 434 maternal-fetal medicine specialists and fetal care pediatric specialists at 48 multidisciplinary centers for prenatal diagnosis.
RESULTS:
The participation rate was 49.3%. In total, 61 obstetric-gynecologists and 68 neonatologists completed the survey. The results showed that 35.4% of the pregnant women asked for the continuation of pregnancy and 24.7% asked for the termination of pregnancy. More than half of professionals (52.9%) took the initiative of informing women about the options for birth support (including PPC), while 32.7% of obstetric gynecologists did not take this initiative versus 10.2% of neonatologists (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates the absolute need to provide PPC training for professionals and to standardize its practices.
Some of the antenatally diagnosed fetal pathologies are unlikely to get compatible with life. Still some women choose to continue with pregnancy. Subsequently, perinatal palliative care (PPC) has become a constructive demarche in such situations. Our study, based on a multicentric survey, reports some cases of fetal pathologies considered as lethal according to perinatal professionals and reveals the decisional process in each case.
METHODS:
We sent by emails a questionnaire to 434 maternal-fetal medicine specialists and fetal care pediatric specialists at 48 multidisciplinary centers for prenatal diagnosis.
RESULTS:
The participation rate was 49.3%. In total, 61 obstetric-gynecologists and 68 neonatologists completed the survey. The results showed that 35.4% of the pregnant women asked for the continuation of pregnancy and 24.7% asked for the termination of pregnancy. More than half of professionals (52.9%) took the initiative of informing women about the options for birth support (including PPC), while 32.7% of obstetric gynecologists did not take this initiative versus 10.2% of neonatologists (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates the absolute need to provide PPC training for professionals and to standardize its practices.
Rights
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Citation List Month
May 2016 List
Citation
Tosello B; Haddad G; Gire C; Einaudi MA, “Lethal Fetal Abnormalities: How To Approach Perinatal Palliative Care?,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 28, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/10605.