[Practice guideline on extremely premature birth: too little room for parents to decide].
The new practice guideline on the treatment of extremely premature infants is discussed. The guideline advises to actively treat all children born after 24 0/7 weeks of gestation. Although there is some evidence supporting this view, it is argued that the guideline is incomplete as decisions about the treatment of such newborn infants can only be made after discussion with the parents. The guideline should also have taken into account the ethical and legal aspects of the issue. It is therefore concluded that the guideline itself is immature and premature.
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Julius Centrum voor Gezondheidswetenschappen en Eerstelijns Geneeskunde, Utrecht, the Netherlands. j.j.m.vandelden@umcutrecht.nl
J J M Hans
JJ
van Delden
D003657:Decision Making; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control