Ethical Challenges in the Management of Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Anomalies

JOURNAL TITLE: Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Author
1. Laurence B McCullough
2. Daniel Skupski
3. Stephen T Chasen
ISSN
0973-614X
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1113
Volume
1
Issue
4
Publishing Year
2007
Pages
6
Author Affiliations
    1. Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
    1. The New York Hospital Queens, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
    1. The New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
  • Article keywords
    Ethics, ultrasound, abortion, fetal research, cephalo- centesis, autonomy

    Abstract

    Ethics is an essential dimension of the clinical management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Appealing to the ethical principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy, this reviews explicates the ethical concept of the ‘fetus as a patient’. This concept provides the basis for a comprehensive approach to ethical challenges in the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Practice, ethically justified guidance is given for the physician's role in counseling pregnant women about aggressive management, termination of pregnancy, selective termination of multifetal pregnancies, non- aggressive management, and cephalocentesis.

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