Abstract
Aim: To investigate the end-of-life practice in a large perinatal centre in Germany.
Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed in all neonates deceased in the delivery room (n = 31) and the neonatal intensive care unit (n = 47) between 2002 and 2004.
Results: Neonatal death was preceded by an end-of-life decision (EOLD) in 81% of cases in the delivery room and 83% in the neonatal intensive care unit. The majority of deceased neonates were born prematurely or with congenital malformation. Life-sustaining treatment was not initiated in 74% of the infants deceased in the delivery room. In the unit, 52% died after withdrawal of therapy. Mechanical ventilation was withdrawn most frequently (79% of cases). Futility and immediate death were common considerations in EOLD, but the infant’s suffering and future quality of life also played a role. Parents were involved in EOLD-making in all but emergency cases. No active termination of life was performed.
Conclusion: In our perinatal centre, the majority of neonatal deaths occurred after limitation of therapy. Treatment was actively withdrawn in half of the infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Actual end-of-life practice in a large perinatal centre differs from the restrictive attitude towards EOLD reported for German neonatologists in previous surveys.
Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed in all neonates deceased in the delivery room (n = 31) and the neonatal intensive care unit (n = 47) between 2002 and 2004.
Results: Neonatal death was preceded by an end-of-life decision (EOLD) in 81% of cases in the delivery room and 83% in the neonatal intensive care unit. The majority of deceased neonates were born prematurely or with congenital malformation. Life-sustaining treatment was not initiated in 74% of the infants deceased in the delivery room. In the unit, 52% died after withdrawal of therapy. Mechanical ventilation was withdrawn most frequently (79% of cases). Futility and immediate death were common considerations in EOLD, but the infant’s suffering and future quality of life also played a role. Parents were involved in EOLD-making in all but emergency cases. No active termination of life was performed.
Conclusion: In our perinatal centre, the majority of neonatal deaths occurred after limitation of therapy. Treatment was actively withdrawn in half of the infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Actual end-of-life practice in a large perinatal centre differs from the restrictive attitude towards EOLD reported for German neonatologists in previous surveys.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 681-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Acta Paediatrica |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2007 |