Abstract

HERNANDEZ- ARRIAGA, Jorge L.  and  ISERSON, Kenneth V. Ethical aspects of the extreme premature newborn. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2005, vol.62, n.4, pp.287-293. ISSN 1665-1146.

As neonatology continues to advance medical knowledge and situations surrounding the care of ill and premature newborns, each step introduces ill- defined methodologies, unknown outcomes, and increasing costs. In countries such as Mexico, the government hospitals assume the cost of such treatments. It is, therefore, incumbent on the entire society, rather than simply the medical community, to enter into the debate about which of these tiny patients should be treated, how aggressive such treatment should be, and what outcomes are acceptable.We suggest an appropriate strategy for countries like Mexico, with an intermediate policy between treating all the very low birth weight babies (VLBW) and offering strict limits, where all the parts are involved in the decision making process.

Keywords : Very low birth weight; ethics; treatment limits.

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