Decisions and Dilemmas Related to Resuscitation of Infants Born on the Verge of Viability

Over the last several decades, advancements in neonatal care have improved the survival rate and prognosis of premature infants. It is now commonplace for infants born at gestational ages once considered nonviable to be discharged home and live normal healthy lives with few, if any, morbidities. Neonatology has now progressed to an era where infants born at 22 to 24 weeks gestation are being resuscitated, resulting in potentially lifelong consequences for both infants and their families. Decisions concerning resuscitation of infants on the verge of viability are complex and must take into consideration the ethics of resuscitating infants at risk for extremely high levels of mortality and morbidity as well as the impact on the infant, family, and society as a whole.