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'No revival' for premature babies 'No revival' for premature babies
(10 minutes later)
Babies born at or before 22 weeks should not be resuscitated or given intensive care, a report says.Babies born at or before 22 weeks should not be resuscitated or given intensive care, a report says.
The recommendation is being put forward by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which considers ethical questions raised by advances in medical research.The recommendation is being put forward by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which considers ethical questions raised by advances in medical research.
For those born after 23 weeks, the recommendation is that doctors should review the situation with the parents and take their wishes into account.For those born after 23 weeks, the recommendation is that doctors should review the situation with the parents and take their wishes into account.
The report has been released after two years of research.The report has been released after two years of research.
BBC health correspondent Jane Dreaper says the report comes against a backdrop of medical advances which have been able to sustain the lives of very premature babies. It will also recommend that parents be given guidance on how to resolve arguments with doctors over the fate of their babies.
However, research shows that many of these babies do not live very long, or go to have severe disability. The report comes against a backdrop of medical advances which have been able to sustain the lives of very premature babies.
Part of the problem is that despite advances in modern medicine, it is notalways obvious to doctors which babies will survive and thrive. However, research shows that many of these babies do not live very long, or go on to develop severe disability.
Tthe Nuffield Council on Bioethics inquiry also looked at longer-term support for families, and resource implications for the NHS. Part of the problem is that despite advances in modern medicine, it is not always obvious to doctors which babies will survive and thrive.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics inquiry also looked at longer-term support for families, and resource implications for the NHS.
Many premature births
Bliss, the premature baby charity, is campaigning for one to one neonatal intensive care, and for decisions to made based on clinical reasoning, and not financial constraints.Bliss, the premature baby charity, is campaigning for one to one neonatal intensive care, and for decisions to made based on clinical reasoning, and not financial constraints.
The charity said the UK had the highest rate of low birth weight babies in Western Europe.The charity said the UK had the highest rate of low birth weight babies in Western Europe.
About 300 babies are born in the UK each year at 23 weeks.About 300 babies are born in the UK each year at 23 weeks.
They have a 17% survival rate, compared with 50% for those born at 25 weeks.They have a 17% survival rate, compared with 50% for those born at 25 weeks.
There are about 250 units in the UK offering neonatal intensive care, highdependency and special care. Figures suggest that no baby survives at 21 weeks, while only 1% survive at 22 weeks.
There are about 250 units in the UK offering neonatal intensive care, high dependency and special care.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics was established in 1991 to examine ethical questions raised by advances in biological and medical research.The Nuffield Council on Bioethics was established in 1991 to examine ethical questions raised by advances in biological and medical research.