Ethical issues in the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies.

Full Abstract

Ethics is an essential dimension of the clinical management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Utilizing the ethical principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy, this review first sets out the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient. This concept provides the basis for a comprehensive approach to ethical issues in the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies. Practical, 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, nonaggressive management, cephalocentesis, and fetal research.

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Author information

Author/s: Chervenak, Frank A (FA); McCullough, Laurence B (LB); Skupski, Daniel (D); Chasen, Stephen T (ST);

Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street-J130, New York, NY 10025, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Obstetrical & gynecological survey (Obstet Gynecol Surv), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jul; vol 58 (issue 7) : pp 473-83

Dates: Created 2003/06/30; Completed 2003/10/17; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12832939, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Abortion, Eugenic - ethics
Abortion, Induced
Adult
Congenital Abnormalities - therapy
Counseling
Decision Making
Embryonic and Fetal Development
Ethics, Medical

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