Ethics at the end of life in the newborn intensive care unit: Conversations and decisions

Ethics at the end of life in the newborn intensive care unit: Conversations and decisions

Mercurio MR; Gillam L

Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

2023

bioethics; conversation; decision making; ethics; neonatal intensive care unit; treatment withdrawal; active euthanasia; artificial ventilation; controlled study; critically ill patient; human; hydration; hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; infant; Infant Newborn; Intensive Care Units; Intensive Care Units Neonatal; neonatologist; newborn; nutrition; resuscitation; review

The unexpected birth of a critically ill baby raises many ethical questions for neonatologists. Some of these are obviously ethical questions, about whether to attempt resuscitation, and, if the baby is resuscitated and survives, whether to continue life sustaining interventions. Other ethical decisions are more related to what to say rather than what to do. Although less obvious, they are equally as important, and may also have far-reaching ramifications. This essay presents the story of a newborn with profound hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and reviews decisions regarding resuscitation, withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, withdrawal of medically administered nutrition and hydration, and active euthanasia. An overview of the ethical issues at work at each decision point is presented, as well as guidance regarding discussions with parents throughout the process, including specific wording. This may serve as a helpful guide for ethical deliberation, and helpful scripting for parental discussion, in similar cases.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

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