title: Noninitiation or withdrawal of intensive care for high-risk newborns.
abstract: Advances in medical technology have led to dilemmas in initiation and withdrawal of intensive care of newborn infants with a very poor prognosis. Physicians and parents together must make difficult decisions guided by their understanding of the child's best interest. The foundation for these decisions consists of several key elements: (1) direct and open communication between the health care team and the parents of the child with regard to the medical status, prognosis, and treatment options; (2) inclusion of the parents as active participants in the decision process; (3) continuation of comfort care even when intensive care is not being provided; and (4) treatment decisions that are guided primarily by the best interest of the child.
authors.forename: Edward F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*