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Clinical, ethical and legal considerations in the treatment of newborns with non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia

Boneh, A., Allan, S., Mendelson, D., Spriggs, M., Gillam, L. H. and Korman, S. H. 2008, Clinical, ethical and legal considerations in the treatment of newborns with non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia, Molecular genetics and metabolism, vol. 94, no. 2, pp. 143-147.

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Title Clinical, ethical and legal considerations in the treatment of newborns with non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia
Author(s) Boneh, A.
Allan, S.
Mendelson, D.
Spriggs, M.
Gillam, L. H.
Korman, S. H.
Journal name Molecular genetics and metabolism
Volume number 94
Issue number 2
Start page 143
End page 147
Publisher Elsevier Inc.
Place of publication Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publication date 2008-06
ISSN 1096-7192
1096-7206
Keyword(s) non-ketotic hyperglycinemia
neonatal care
withdrawal of therapy
withholding of therapy
ethics
Summary Non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia (NKH) is a devastating neurometabolic disorder leading, in its classical form, to early death or severe disability and poor quality of life in survivors. Affected neonates may need ventilatory support during a short period of respiratory depression. The transient dependence on ventilation dictates urgency in decision-making regarding withdrawal of therapy. The occurrence of patients with apparent transient forms of the disease, albeit rare, adds uncertainty to the prediction of clinical outcome and dictates that the current practice of withholding or withdrawing therapy in these neonates be reviewed. Both bioethics and law take the view that treatment decisions should be based on the best interests of the patient. The medical-ethics approach is based on the principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy and justice. The law relating to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment is complex and varies between jurisdictions. Physicians treating newborns with NKH need to provide families with accurate and complete information regarding the disease and the relative probability of possible outcomes of the neonatal presentation and to explore the extent to which family members are willing to take part in the decision making process. Cultural and religious attitudes, which may potentially clash with bioethical and juridical principles, need to be considered.
Language eng
Field of Research 180114 Human Rights Law
HERDC Research category C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30023766

Document type: Journal Article
Collections: Faculty of Business and Law
School of Law
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Created: Thu, 18 Feb 2010, 14:48:25 EST by Katrina Fleming