Neonatologists' opinions regarding resuscitation of extremely premature infants in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the range of opinions among neonatologists in Connecticut and Rhode Island regarding the gestational age at which they would support parental resuscitation or nonresuscitation requests for infants born at 21-27 weeks.


METHODS
Anonymous questionnaire mailed to 70 Connecticut and Rhode Island neonatologists detailing specific resuscitation scenarios and hypothetical guidelines regarding management of premature infants.


RESULTS
Response rate was 69%. Nine percent of neonatologists would never reject a parental resuscitation request. Ninety-one percent would reject a resuscitation request at 21 weeks, 67% at 22 weeks, and 11% at 23 weeks. Fifty-three percent would refuse a nonresuscitation request at 24 weeks, 96% at 25 weeks, and 100% at 26 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of neonatologists would not resuscitate infants born at < or = 22 weeks and would resuscitate infants born at > or = 25 weeks gestational age despite parental wishes to the contrary.
Cummings
Brian
B
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, USA.
McKay
Kathleen
K
Hussain
Naveed
N
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003237:Connecticut; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012151:Resuscitation; D012237:Rhode Island