Ethical decision making for newborns with congenital abnormalities: The 'do not resuscitate' dilemma

Neonatal intensive care units face increasing ethical dilemmas as advancing medical techniques prolong the dying process of newborns with life-threatening congenital abnormalities. This article explores the ethical dilemma posed with regard to a newborn suffering from Edwards syndrome. The issue whether or not to resuscitate was approached using Jensen's four topics method. Under conditions of medical futility, the presupposition of a poor quality of life for the child and respect for parental autonomy, a decision was made against resuscitation. Medical professionals have a responsibility to help parents deal with the dying process through palliative care that provides a good death for newborns suffering from severe congenital abnormalities.