Ethics related to therapeutic decision in cases of extreme prematurity

Abstract

Limits of viability for premature infants and survival with minimal consequences are current themes of great importance for ethics and bioethics. Extreme prematurity may result in many consequences and chronic injuries that limit the infant functionality. When prolongation of a very immature newborn’s life is opted, there is a greater exposure of premature infants and their family to pain, distress and physiological stress situations. The present review approaches ethical aspects related to this decision-making, considering the limit of viability and neuromotor sequelae derived from extreme prematurity. At present, it is considered not only the survival of extreme premature infants, but also the maintenance of their quality of life, since they are more likely to have sequelae at short, median and long time.