Ethical Issues around Death and Withdrawal of Life Support in Neonatal Intensive Care
Title
Ethical Issues around Death and Withdrawal of Life Support in Neonatal Intensive Care
Creator
Pant S
Identifier
Publisher
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
Date
2022
Subject
Death; Ethics; Life support; Neonatal intensive care
Description
Amongst all the traumatic experiences in a human life, death of child is considered the most painful, and has profound and lasting impact on the life of parents. The experience is even more complex when the death occurs within a neonatal intensive care unit, particularly in situations where there have been conflicts associated with decisions regarding the redirection of life-sustaining treatments. In the absence of national guidelines and legal backing, clinicians are faced with a dilemma of whether to prolong life-sustaining therapy even in the most brain-injured infants or allow a discharge against medical advice. Societal customs, vagaries, and lack of bereavement support further complicate the experience for parents belonging to lower socio-economic classes. The present review explores the ethical dilemmas around neonatal death faced by professionals in India, and suggests some ways forward. Copyright © 2021, The Author(s).
Citation List Month
May 2022 List
URL Address
Collection
Citation
Pant S, “Ethical Issues around Death and Withdrawal of Life Support in Neonatal Intensive Care,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 16, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/18039.