title: [The Best Interest of the Child in Neonatology: Is It Best for the Child?].
abstract: Since its inceptions, the standard of best interest of the child was linked to decisions about suspend life-sustaining treatments in neonatal units and evaluation of treatments applied to children in terms of their quality of life. This origin has conditioned the interpretation of the standard from two extremes: a vitalistic one, and a non vitalistic interpretation that triumphed in Western bioethics and has led to the consecration of the standard of best interest of the child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child of United Nations. A detailed analysis reveals a simplistic, utilitarian and proportionalist standard, which change the basis of parenthood. We therefore believe that the standard of the best interest of the child is not the best for the child in neonatal intensive care units and especially not in the process of withhold or withdrawal life-sustaining treatments.
authors.affiliation: Centro Superior de Estudios Teológicos - Badajoz España. ferminjgm@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fermín J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: González-Melado
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Sagrado Corazón, Roma. Italia.
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D028601:Euthanasia, Active / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009359:Neonatology / Q000941:ethics*; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards; D020458:Third-Party Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014480:United Nations / Q000592:standards