title: [Decision making about the child in CIU--participation of the family].
abstract: This paper focuses attention on the moral and ethical principles in the treatment of a very sick newborn infant and child. Special attention is given to the risk benefit balance of the employment of sophisticated technology with the purpose of prolonging the survival of a possible handicapped child. The authors analyzed the different ways of facing this problem according to different cultural backgrounds. The concept of a terminal patient is not applied to the neonatal period. The principle of autonomy is discussed, and the familiar feelings are analyzed.
authors.affiliation: UFRGS-Porto Alegre, RS.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Procianoy
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Garcia