Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction: recent debates in maternal–fetal medicine – what are the ethical questions?
- 2 Overview: a framework for reproductive ethics
- I GENERIC ISSUES IN PREGNANCY
- II INCEPTION OF PREGNANCY: NEW REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
- III FIRST AND SECOND TRIMESTER
- IV THIRD TRIMESTER
- V NEONATAL LIFE
- 19 Do new reproductive technologies benefit or harm children?
- 20 Are there lives not worth living? When is it morally wrong to reproduce?
- 21 Ethical issues in withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from handicapped neonates
- Index
21 - Ethical issues in withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from handicapped neonates
from V - NEONATAL LIFE
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 September 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction: recent debates in maternal–fetal medicine – what are the ethical questions?
- 2 Overview: a framework for reproductive ethics
- I GENERIC ISSUES IN PREGNANCY
- II INCEPTION OF PREGNANCY: NEW REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
- III FIRST AND SECOND TRIMESTER
- IV THIRD TRIMESTER
- V NEONATAL LIFE
- 19 Do new reproductive technologies benefit or harm children?
- 20 Are there lives not worth living? When is it morally wrong to reproduce?
- 21 Ethical issues in withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from handicapped neonates
- Index
Summary
Introduction
Life-sustaining treatment is often classed as medical care, with palliative treatment being regarded as nursing care. However, optimal care of each type requires the full involvement of both medical and nursing staff in addition to the close commitment of the wider family. Life-sustaining treatment implies that treatment is being given in order to maintain or create the best possible outcome for the child's future life. This future might be abnormal but it would be assumed to be compatible with the self-respect of the family and later of the infant and child. Such management should be in the best interests of the child concerned. If life-sustaining treatment is not felt to be in the best interest of the child by the parents and the medical team, then UK law accepts that life-sustaining treatment (aimed at alleviating or curing the illness) may be inappropriately burdensome and may be reasonably withdrawn (Re J, 1981; Re C, 1989; Re J, 1992).
When the clinical team (in conjunction with the parents) makes a decision of this nature, the same medical and nursing staff then have a duty to offer the best possible palliative care. Palliative care should not only consider the patient's physical requirements, such as the relief of discomfort, pain or agitation and other symptoms, but should also address the emotional, social and spiritual needs.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Ethical Issues in Maternal-Fetal Medicine , pp. 335 - 346Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002