The Ethics of Neonatal Resuscitation

Abstract

Decisions about initiating resuscitation are often based on the best-interest principle, which considers the chance of survival, pain of attempted resuscitation, and subsequent benefits or burdens that continued living with potential disability may bring. For neonates at 23–25 weeks gestation, this decision is difficult given the uncertain prognosis. It is thus reasonable to defer to parental wishes given that the family has to bear the burden of taking care of the child. Adequate and early antenatal counselling is important to enable parents to make an informed decision. Further studies of local long-term outcomes are needed to identify better markers for outcomes to help guide resuscitation decisions.