Ethics in neonatology: a look over Europe

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Guimarães H (Author) FMUP; Rocha, G (Author) Other; Almeda, F (Author) Other; Brites, M (Author) Other; Van Goudoever, JB (Author) Other; Iacoponi, F (Author) Other; Bellieni, C (Author) Other; Buonocore, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

Vol. 25

Pages: 984-991

ISSN: 1476-7058

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-8HQ

DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2011.602442

Abstract (EN): Advances in perinatal medicine have dramatically improved neonatal survival. End-of-life decision making for newborns with adverse prognosis is an ethical challenge, the ethical issues are controversial and little evidence exists on attitudes and values in Europe. Objective: to assess the attitudes of the neonatal departments in perinatal clinical practice in the hospitals of European countries. Methods: a questionnaire was send to 55 NICUs from 19 European countries Results: Forty five (81.8%) NICUs were Level III. Religion was Christian in 90.7% and we observed that in north countries the religion is more influent on clinical decisions (p = 0.032). Gestational age was considered with no significant difference for clinical investment. North countries consider birth weight (p = 0.011) and birth weight plus gestational age (p = 0.024) important for clinical investment. In north countries ethical questions should not prevail when the decision is made (p = 0.049) and from an ethical point of view, there is no difference between withdraw a treatment and do not initiate the treatment (p = 0.029). More hospitals in south countries administer any analgesia (p = 0.007). When the resuscitation is not successful 96.2% provide comfort care. Conclusion: Our study reveals that cultural and religious differences influenced ethical attitudes in NICUs of the European countries.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8