Nonaggressive Obstetric Management
An Option for Some Fetal Anomalies During the Third Trimester
- Frank A. Chervenak, MD;
- Laurence B. McCullough, PhD
Abstract
Nonaggressive obstetric management was used in 13 cases of anomalous fetuses during the third trimester. Criteria that define these anomalies are (1) a very high probability of a correct diagnosis and (2) either (a) a very high probability of death as an outcome of the anomaly diagnosed or (b) a very high probability of severe and irreversible deficit of cognitive developmental capacity as a result of the anomaly diagnosed. On the basis of two approaches to obstetric ethics, we defend the legitimacy of nonaggressive management of third-trimester pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies that meet these criteria.
(JAMA. 1989;261:3439-3440)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, M036, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 E 68th St, New York, NY 10021 (Dr Chervenak).
