End-of-life decisions in neonates and infants: a population-level mortality follow-back study

To the editor Critically ill neonates present clinical and ethical challenges. The deaths of these infants are often preceded by possibly life-shortening end-of-life decisions (ELD), including non-treatment decisions or pain and/or symptom relief medication. Recent empirical information about this practice is scarce. We performed a nationwide mortality follow-back survey for all deaths under the age of 1 between September 2016 and December 2017 in Flanders, Belgium. For all death cases identified through death certificates, treating physicians were sent an anonymous questionnaire about which ELDs were made. Details of the method were published elsewhere.1 Response rate was 83% (229/276). In 61% of all deceased infants, an ELD preceded death (table 1). Non-treatment decisions including withholding (12%) and withdrawing treatment (25%) are most prevalent (37%). Drugs are administered in 24% of cases, including medication with a possible (14%) and explicit life-shortening intention (10%). Incidence and type...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: PostScript Source Type: research