Ventriculoamniotic shunt for treatment of hydrocephalus in one of twins: medical, ethical and legal considerations.
One of a pair of preterm twin fetuses was identified as having progressive hydrocephalus. After an extensive evaluation of the parents and both fetuses, a ventriculoamniotic shunt was placed. The affected twin, despite multiple additional neonatal procedures, has done well as matched against her normal twin sister. Both children are well 4 years after the surgery. The case presented a remarkable complexity of medical, ethical and legal issues which are presented.
Goldstein
P
P
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Md.
Taylor
W S
WS
Zisow
D
D
Carson
B
B
Shuster
E
E
Brodner
R
R
D000328:Adult; D030881:Disclosure; D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D033282:Parental Consent; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D037841:Pregnant People; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014427:Twins; D015974:Wrongful Life