Hernández-Arriaga JL, Iserson KV

Language: English
References: 14
Page: 287-293
PDF size: 83.51 Kb.

ABSTRACT

As neonatology continues to advance medical knowledge and situations surrounding the care of ill and premature newborns, each step introduces ill-defined methodologies, unknown outcomes, and increasing costs. In countries such as Mexico, the government hospitals assume the cost of such treatments. It is, therefore, incumbent on the entire society, rather than simply the medical community, to enter into the debate about which of these tiny patients should be treated, how aggressive such treatment should be, and what outcomes are acceptable. We suggest an appropriate strategy for countries like Mexico, with an intermediate policy between treating all the very low birth weight babies (VLBW) and offering strict limits, where all the parts are involved in the decision making process.

REFERENCES

1. Iserson KV. Death to dust: what happens to dead bodies? Tucson, AZ: Galen Press, Ltd.; 2001.

2. Wyatt JS. Neonatal care: withholding or withdrawal of treatment in the newborn infant. Baillie’s Beste Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1999; 4: 503-11.

3. Rogowski JA, Horbar JD, Plsek PE, Baker LS. Economic implications of neonatal intensive care unit collaborative quality improvement. Pediatrics. 2001; 107: 23-9.

4. Gafo J. Problemas éticos en Neonatología. En: Anónimo. Ecos del IV Encuentro de la Federación Latinoamericana de Instituciones de Bioética. Guanajuato, México: Ed. Universidad de Guanajuato; 1995. p. 349-66.

5. Cecchetto S. Dilemas bioéticos en medicina perinatal. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Ed. Corregidor; 1999.

6. Hernández-Arriaga JL, Cortés-Gallo G, Aldana-Valenzuela C, Ramírez-Huerta AC. Incidencia de malformaciones congénitas externas en el HGOP 48 en León, Gto. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 1991; 10: 717-21.

7. Piers MW. Infanticide, past and present. New York: Norton, Ed.; 1978.

8. Westermarck EA. The killing of parents, sick persons, children feticide. En: Westermarck EA, editor. The origin and development of moral ideas. London: McMillan; 1989. p. 1906-8.

9. Silverman WA. Mismatched attitudes about neonatal death. En: Silver T, editor. Ethical issues in the treatment of children and adolescents. New Jersey: Slack; 1983.

10. Fletcher J. Ethics and euthanasia. Am J Nurs. 1973; 73: 110-3.

11. Fletcher J. The right to die: The theologian comments. Atlantic: Monthly; 1968. p. 62-4.

12. Moreno J. Ethical and legal aspects in the attention of neonates with malformations. Clin Perinatol North Am. 1987; 2: 130-7.

13. Moss AH, Oppenheimer EA, Casey P, Cazzolli PA, Roos RP, Stocking CB, et al. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis receiving long-term mechanical ventilation: advance care planning and outcomes. Chest. 1996; 110: 249-55.

14. Kuhse H, Singer P. Should the baby live? The problem of handicapped infants. New York: Oxford University Press; 1986.