Ethical Issues around Death and Withdrawal of Life Support in Neonatal Intensive Care
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Date
2022-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation
Abstract
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 lifesustaining 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.
Description
Keywords
Newborn, Mortality, Ethics, Bereavement, Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Decision-making
Citation
Pant Stuti. Ethical Issues around Death and Withdrawal of Life Support in Neonatal Intensive Care. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2022 Mar; 89(3): 274–278