Does it matter if this baby is 22 or 23 weeks?

Annie Janvier, Trisha Prentice, Jessica Wallace, Kate Robson, Paul Mann, John D. Lantos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere20190113
JournalPediatrics
Volume144
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does it matter if this baby is 22 or 23 weeks?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this