| Abstract: | These joint recommendations from four medical professional societies (DGGG, DGKJ, DGPM and GNPI) name ethical, legal and medical aspects which should be considered during the consultation with parents-to-be and the decisions for or against life-saving treatment of a child born on the limits of the ability to survive. Consideration of various interests within the legal framework lead to recommendations for a special procedure: 1. For children born before the 22nd week of pregnancy has been completed, an initial resuscitation will basically not be carried out. 2. In the time period between 22 and 23 6/7 weeks of pregnancy it is at present not possible to define a clear limit for treatment according to the length of pregnancy or birth weight. In each individual case the decision must conform to the ethical and legal principles and a consensus must be reached with the parents. 3. After the 24th week of pregnancy attempts to save the life of the child should always be made. In conclusion, it follows from ethical considerations that life-saving measures should principally be undertaken whenever the child has a chance of survival. |
