Does It Matter if This Baby Is 22 or 23 Weeks?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2019
Identifier
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-0113
Abstract
A 530-g girl born at 22 weeks and 6 days' gestation (determined by an ultrasound at 11 weeks) was admitted to the NICU. Her mother had received prenatal steroids. At 12 hours of age, she was stable on low ventilator settings. Her blood pressure was fine. Her urine output was good. After counseling, her parents voiced understanding of the risks and wanted all available life-supporting measures. Many nurses were distressed that doctors were trying to save a "22-weeker." In the past, 4 infants born at 22 weeks' gestation had been admitted to that NICU, and all had died. The attending physician on call had to deal with many sick infants and the nurses' moral distress.
Journal Title
Pediatrics
Volume
144
Issue
3
MeSH Keywords
Deception; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant; Infant Care; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Medical Futility; Medical Staff, Hospital; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Pregnancy; Stress, Psychological; Trust
Keywords
Deception; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant; Infant Care; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Medical Futility; Medical Staff, Hospital; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Pregnancy; Stress, Psychological; Trust
Recommended Citation
Janvier A, Prentice T, Wallace J, Robson K, Mann P, Lantos JD. Does It Matter if This Baby Is 22 or 23 Weeks?. Pediatrics. 2019;144(3):e20190113. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-0113
COinS
