In Belgium, parents with a premature baby of 25 weeks may choose not to have intensive care treatment. However, some neonatologists and gynaecologists think this should change, De Standaard reports.
Every week matters for premature births, and babies born more than 25 weeks before their due date mark don't have high chances of survival. For babies born at 22 or 23 weeks, the odds aren't great, even with intensive treatment. Flemish doctors usually first go for intensive treatment for babies born at the standard 26th week of pregnancy. A normal term lasts for 40 weeks.
The Italian-Belgian ethicist Alice Cavolo, who completed a master's degree in bioethics at KU Leuven, asked doctors about the grey zone between 24 and 26 weeks.
Usually, doctors make decisions with the parents, although that can change if premature birth happens unexpectedly. The 25th week is complicated because no one can predict the outcome of the treatment, according to Cavolo.
A tough decision
"In general, doctors would be keen to give the child at least a chance, because a non-invasive decision is irreversible," Cavolo added in De Standaard. "If they suspect that the child will have serious health complications, they will act on the wishes of the family. The decision often depends on the parents' capacity to care for the child. This varies from family to family."
According to Cavolo, neonatologists in Flanders want to lower the limit for intensive care treatment for babies. It is currently the subject of debate, but the lack of clarity on the outcome makes it a difficult decision, especially as the medical literature doesn't give definite guidelines.
Ultimately, Cavolo noted that the context of the family is taken into account as parents might have waited a long time for the child or already have lost one.
She noted that children aren't left to their own if the decision is not to have intensive treatment. "Doctors then provide comfort care and pain relief," said Cavolo. "They don't leave the children to their own devices, but help them and make sure that the parents can be as close as possible."
