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- Title
Legal and ethical issues in fetal surgery
- Authors
Dickens, Bernard M.; Cook, Rebecca J.
- Abstract
Abstract: Recent research in the USA has shown the advantages for children''s welfare of open fetal surgery over postnatal treatment for myelomeningocele. However, a balance must be struck between complications of premature birth risked by prenatal surgery and the long-term advantages for affected children''s health, including mobility and neurologic capacity. Risks for women are repeated surgery for intervention and delivery. The research raises legal and ethical questions about how fetal interests should influence women''s choices, and whether women may decline interventions in their pregnancies that offer their children lifelong advantages. Beyond fetal interests and women''s preferences are state interests in fetal life, which in the USA and elsewhere have been expressed in judicially authorized cesarean deliveries. Underlying issues are the nature of fetal interests; contrasting entitlements to care from their mothers of fetuses and born children; healthcare providers’ responsibilities toward fetuses; and duties of care, information, and advice to pregnant women.
- Subjects
UNITED States; FETAL surgery; SURGERY laws; SURGERY ethics; SPINAL surgery; MYELOMENINGOCELE; RISK factors in premature labor; POSTNATAL care; HOUR of birth; SPINA bifida; THERAPEUTICS; CHILD welfare; FETAL diseases; MEDICAL ethics; MEDICAL laws; PATIENT education; PHILOSOPHY
- Publication
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2011, Vol 115, Issue 1, p80
- ISSN
0020-7292
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.07.007