Selective nontreatment of neurologically impaired neonates.
We are convinced that a best-interests approach is the best approach to take in making decisions to treat or not to treat disabled young infants. Such an approach acknowledges that there are some medical conditions that are so severe that efforts to sustain the lives of infants having the conditions cannot be said to be in the best interests of those infants. By paying attention to the variables that compose the best-interests approach, decision makers can arrive at decisions not to sustain life that are more easily justifiable than with any other approach.
Weir
R F
RF
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.
Bale
J F
JF
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D035082:Federal Government; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008020:Life Support Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D028723:Personhood; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D026712:Value of Life; D028761:Withholding Treatment