Heterologous assisted reproduction and kernicterus: the unlucky coincidence reveals an ethical dilemma.
Secrecy and anonymity related to heterologous assisted reproduction may hide basic newborn data to neonatologists. Secrecy and anonymity are discussed in view of their possible consequences on relational dynamics and on developmental psychology. Nevertheless, they can also involve the offspring's genetic status regarding inheritable diseases. International guidelines have been recently published on this topic. Because no guidelines are 'ideal' unfortunate and possibly dramatic consequences can occur. We aimed to embark on a debate about this matter starting with a real clinical experience. In our case a rarely fatal but widespread disease, together with the lack of knowledge about parental status led, in a fast succession of clinical events, to the unavoidable insurgence of kernicterus.
de Luca
Daniele
D
Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. dm.deluca@fastwebnet.it
Virdis
Andrea
A
Pietro
Maria Luisa di
ML
Costa
Simonetta
S
de Carolis
Maria Pia
MP
Romagnoli
Costantino
C
Zecca
Enrico
E
D003219:Confidentiality / Q000941:ethics; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000941:ethics*; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000941:ethics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014310:Triplets