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FETAL PAIN

Part of: Bespoke shallow archive Weizmann

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2008

PHEBE N ADAMA VAN SCHELTEMA ,
SEM BAKKER ,
FPHA VANDENBUSSCHE  and
D OEPKES
PHEBE N ADAMA VAN SCHELTEMA*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine section, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
SEM BAKKER
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine section, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
FPHA VANDENBUSSCHE
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine section, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
D OEPKES
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine section, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
*
Phebe N. Adama van Scheltema, MD., Dept of Obstetrics, B3-87, PO BOX 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Extract

The concept of fetal pain is becoming more and more relevant since the possibilities for invasive intrauterine treatment are increasing. However, there is much debate as to whether the fetus is mature enough to be able to perceive pain. But what is ‘pain’? One cannot determine whether a fetus feels pain unless one has a conception of what pain is. There is a difference in opinion about what pain really is and that is also the difficulty in studies on fetal pain: we cannot simply ask the fetus whether or not it feels pain. We can only give indirect evidence of possible harmful effects of stressful stimuli on the developing fetus. In this review we will first explore the meaning of ‘pain’. We will then discuss fetal anatomic, neurophysiologic and behavioural development and the responses which are thought to be required to experience pain. Finally, we discuss some ethical considerations and suggestions on fetal anaesthesia.

Type
Research Article
Information
Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , November 2008 , pp. 311 - 324
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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