Ethical dilemmas in neonatology: recommendations of the ethics working group of the CESP (Confederation of European specialists in Paediatrics)

Neonatal intensive care has greatly improved the survival chances of a very sick infant. At the same time, it has also given rise to serious ethical problems. In all circumstances, however, parents and paediatricians and other healthcare team workers should continuously evaluate together what is in the best interest of the infant and react accordingly. It is also clear that the principle "the best interests of the infant" can be interpreted in different ways; therefore no simple guideline is possible.