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Journal of Medical Ethics 2004;30:402-405; doi:10.1136/jme.2002.000745
Copyright © 2004 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Institute of Medical Ethics.
J Med Ethics 2004;30:402-405
© 2004 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Institute of Medical Ethics

CLINICAL ETHICS

Ethics of refusing parental requests to withhold or withdraw treatment from their premature baby

R J Boyle1, R Salter1 and M W Arnander2

1 Department of Paediatrics, Hillingdon Hospital, London, UK
2 Department of Medicine, St Thomas Hospital, London, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr R Boyle
Paediatric Registrar, Department of Paediatrics, Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3NN, UK; BobBoyle{at}doctors.org.uk

In the United Kingdom women have access to termination of pregnancy for maternal reasons until 24 weeks’ completed gestation, but it is accepted practice for children born at or beyond 25 weeks’ gestation to be treated according to the child’s perceived best interests even if this is not in accordance with parental wishes. The authors present a case drawn from clinical practice which highlights the discomfort that parents may feel about such an abrupt change in their rights over their child, and argue that parents should have greater autonomy over treatment decisions regarding their prematurely born children.

Keywords: abortion; consent; child; treatment withdrawal


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Janvier, A., Leblanc, I., Barrington, K. J. (2008). The Best-Interest Standard Is Not Applied for Neonatal Resuscitation Decisions. Pediatrics 121: 963-969 [Abstract] [Full Text]  

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