Does It Matter if This Baby Is 22 or 23 Weeks?

Authors :: Janvier A
Prentice T
Wallace J
Robson K
Mann P
Lantos JD
Source :: Pediatrics [Pediatrics] 2019 Sep; Vol. 144 (3). Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Aug 08.
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: A 530-g girl born at 22 weeks and 6 days' gestation (determined by an ultrasound at 11 weeks) was admitted to the NICU. Her mother had received prenatal steroids. At 12 hours of age, she was stable on low ventilator settings. Her blood pressure was fine. Her urine output was good. After counseling, her parents voiced understanding of the risks and wanted all available life-supporting measures. Many nurses were distressed that doctors were trying to save a "22-weeker." In the past, 4 infants born at 22 weeks' gestation had been admitted to that NICU, and all had died. The attending physician on call had to deal with many sick infants and the nurses' moral distress.<br />Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)