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The Process of Decision-Making in Neonatology

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Neonatology

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Abstract

Advances in the field of neonatal–perinatal medicine over the past 40 years have resulted in marked improvement in survival and outcome of the prematurely born and critically ill infant. While the overall reduction in mortality and morbidity for infants is favorable, decisions regarding the care provided to newborns at the threshold of viability and those with complex medical, surgical, and potentially lethal congenital anomalies continue to present challenges to the families and healthcare providers. The dilemma surrounding the complexity of the decision-making process is based on a number of factors including the rights of the child as an individual, the values of the family and the healthcare personnel, the cultural influences, and the moral and ethical standards that impact the way physicians practice medicine and their approach to end-of-life decision-making. As an adjunct to help facilitate the process of decision-making, the role of neonatal palliative care has increased over the last few years. In fact, the field of pediatric palliative care and neonatal palliative care is relatively new and will provide added benefit to healthcare providers and families as they are confronted with difficult decisions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Front Street at Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19134, USA

    Endla K. Anday & Michael Spear

Authors
  1. Endla K. Anday
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  2. Michael Spear
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Correspondence to Endla K. Anday .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Siena, Italy

    Giuseppe Buonocore

  2. Medicina della Riproduzione, Università di Siena Dipto. Pediatria, Ostetricia e, Siena, Italy

    Rodolfo Bracci

  3. Liverpool Women's Hospital Neonatal Unit, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Michael Weindling

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Anday, E.K., Spear, M. (2016). The Process of Decision-Making in Neonatology. In: Buonocore, G., Bracci, R., Weindling, M. (eds) Neonatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18159-2_162-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18159-2_162-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18159-2

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