To prove that palliative therapy can be practised for congenital lethal malformations within the Islamic Code of Ethics. After defining lethal malformation no respiratory support is offered and newborns are provided with compassionate care.
This is a prospective observational study where all abnormal antenatal ultrasounds are discussed in a weekly prenatal meeting and plans are drawn for management of these abnormal fetal findings. Lethal malformations are defined as conditions which will end in death regardless of supportive care. Cases are discussed extensively and parents are involved in management decisions. When a decision of non- intervention is reached for a lethal malformation consent of the family is obtained and a plan of non monitoring for the mother is documented together with no resuscitation for the newborn. Families who do not consent to such plan are offered full support for the pregnant mother and her newborn. A record of all cases is kept available together with the management plan so that the appropriate action is taken when the the pregnant lady presents for admission. All babies with lethal malformations are recorded whether stillborn or live born and their diagnosis is confirmed. Survival time is recorded for each case.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
25,958
Diagnostic studies for abnormal fetal ultrasounds
Security Forces Hospital
Riyadh, Central, Saudi Arabia
Effective Palliative therapy in lethal malformations
Provide palliative care only to those babies born with lethal congenital malformations in the form of oxygen and feeding
Time frame: Time of death in days for a baby with lethal malformation
Survival of babies with lethal malformations
Record of the time of survival for each group of lethal malformations
Time frame: Time of survival in hours or days
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