Withholding Hydration and Nutrition in Newborns |
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Authors: | Nicolas Porta Joel Frader |
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Affiliation: | (1) Division of Neonatology, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA;(2) Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA;(3) Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Children’s Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children’s Plaza, #16, Chicago, IL 60614, USA |
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Abstract: | In the twenty-first century, decisions to withhold or withdraw life-supporting measures commonly precede death in the neonatal intensive care unit without major ethical controversy. However, caregivers often feel much greater turmoil with regard to stopping medical hydration and nutrition than they do when considering discontinuation of mechanical ventilation or circulatory support. Nevertheless, forgoing medical fluids and food represents a morally acceptable option as part of a carefully developed palliative care plan considering the infant’s prognosis and the burdens of continued treatment. Decisions to stop any form of life support should focus on the clinical circumstances, not the means used to sustain life. |
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Keywords: | ethics forgoing life support hydration neonatal intensive care newborns nutrition withholding food and water |
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