RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ethics of refusing parental requests to withhold or withdraw treatment from their premature baby
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 402
OP 405
DO 10.1136/jme.2002.000745
VO 30
IS 4
A1 R J Boyle
A1 R Salter
A1 M W Arnander
YR 2004
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/30/4/402.abstract
AB 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.