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- Title
Deliberate termination of life of newborns with spina bifida, a critical reappraisal.
- Authors
T. de Jong
- Abstract
Abstract Objects  Deliberate termination of life of newborns (involuntary euthanasia) with meningomyelocele (MMC) is practiced openly only in the Netherlands. âUnbearable and hopeless sufferingâ is the single most cited criterion for this termination, together with the notion that âthere are no other proper medical means to alleviate this sufferingâ. In this paper, both (and other) statements are questioned, also by putting them in a broader perspective. Methods  First, a historical overview of the treatment of newborns with MMC is presented, concentrating on the question of selection for treatment. Second, a thorough analysis is made of the criteria used for life termination. Third, a case of a newborn with a very severe MMC is presented as a âreference caseâ. Conclusion  âUnbearable and hopeless sufferingâ cannot be applied to newborns with MMC. They are not âterminally illâ and do have âprospects of a futureâ. In these end-of-life decisions, âquality of life judgmentsâ should not be applied. When such a newborn is not treated, modern palliative care always will suffice in eliminating possible discomfort. There is no reason whatsoever for active life-termination of these newborns.
- Publication
Child's Nervous System, 2008, Vol 24, Issue 1, p13
- ISSN
0256-7040
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1007/s00381-007-0478-3