Major ethical problems confronting perinatal care around the world.
Some 7 million perinatal deaths occur throughout the world each year, 98% in developing countries. Most of these are preventible. The underlying socio-economic, ethical and medical problems are reviewed in terms of their prevention and the optimal use of scarce resources. In particular, there is an urgent need to control population growth by raising the status of women and providing better and more accessible family planning services. Greater emphasis needs to be given to the development of primary health care in developing countries. In the foreseeable future, community maternal and newborn care is likely to rely on trained traditional birth attendants, with referral medical facilities when required. Breast feeding remains the most important priority in newborn care. Education of parents and young children holds the key to progress.
Dunn
P M
PM
Department of Perinatal Medicine and Child Health, University of Bristol, UK.
D003906:Developing Countries; D004989:Ethics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D009017:Morbidity; D018743:Perinatal Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors