Saving Very Premature Babies

The rapid advance in neonatal technology now enables doctors to save the lives of many more very premature babies than ever before. It is now possible to save babies born as early as 21 or 22 weeksgestation, just over halfway through a pregnancy. This gives hope to many parents whose babies, just a few years ago, would have died. Ironically, many of those who survive at such an early stage are left with profound and multiple learning disabilities as a result of the very treatment that...
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The rapid advance in neonatal technology now enables doctors to save the lives of many more very premature babies than ever before. It is now possible to save babies born as early as 21 or 22 weeksgestation, just over halfway through a pregnancy. This gives hope to many parents whose babies, just a few years ago, would have died. Ironically, many of those who survive at such an early stage are left with profound and multiple learning disabilities as a result of the very treatment that initially saved their lives. They and their families experience very great difficulties as they try to come to terms with all the accompanying stress.

This new book is concerned with the ethical and legal dilemmas faced by doctors and parents when deciding which courseof treatment may be best for the child. It also looks at the moral justification, in the light of dwindling NHS resources, of using expensive technology for a relatively few, high risk cases when, by diverting funds, more babies with less risk of severe impairment could be saved.

• Discusses the sanctity of life vs quality of life, bringing in wider philosophical and practical issues surrounding 'life at any cost'
• Real life case studies highlight ethical and legal dilemmas in neonatal care as well as issues relating to disability
• Illustrates relevant legal cases to highlight how the law protects both medical staff and children
• Questions the time of emergence of 'personhood' and how this could influence decision-making