Bioethics for Neonatal Cardiac Care

Pediatrics. 2022 Nov 1;150(Suppl 2):e2022056415N. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-056415N.

Abstract

Background: Clinicians caring for neonates with congenital heart disease encounter challenges with ethical implications in daily practice and must have some basic fluency in ethical principles and practical applications.

Methods: Good ethical practice begins with a thorough understanding of the details and narrative of each individual case, examination via classic principles of bioethics, and further framing of that translation into practice.

Results: We explore some of these issues and expand awareness through the lens of a case presentation beginning with fetal considerations through end-of-life discussions.

Conclusions: We include specific sections that bring attention to shared decision-making, research ethics, and outcomes reporting. We review empirical evidence and highlight recommendations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioethics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Narration
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care