[Ethical questions in neonatology].
Rapid scientific progress in the fields of prenatal diagnostics, obstetrics and neonatology has enabled severe malformations and hereditary diseases to be detected at a very early fetal stage and has also led to the survival of very immature newborn infants in increasing numbers. Parents, doctors and nurses must all participate in the difficult decision making with regard to therapeutic alternatives and due respect must be paid to the intersects of the child, the impact on the family, but also to the professional opinion of the attending doctors and carers. Problems of the ethical limits of prenatal diagnostics, as well as the severity of malformations or organ failure justifying termination of pregnancy or intensive care measures are discussed with reference to clinical cases. Likewise, the question of precedence of the rights of the parents and siblings to quality of life versus the right of the infant to live is broached. From the neonatological point of view candid discussion with the parents, painstaking efforts to build up an atmosphere of confidence and the provision of supportive measures on the one hand, whilst avoiding the expression of dogmatic opinions and patronizing attitudes on the other hand, are essential prerequisites in dealing with the ethical dilemmas arising in the pre- and neonatal management of such cases.
Popow
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Abteilung für Neonatologie, Angeborene Störungen und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Wien.
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic; D001317:Austria; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009359:Neonatology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy