Using Principlism to resolve the ethical dilemma of withdrawing treatment from a neonate diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Neonatal nursing can be a very rewarding career. However, neonatal nurses are often caring for very ill babies and difficult decisions may need to be made. This paper explores one of the most challenging aspects of neonatal nursing; the withdrawing of treatment from a neonate. A case study has been included of withdrawing from a neonate born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type I. Confidentiality has been maintained throughout, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008).To assist health professionals make these difficult decisions, ethical frameworks can be applied. Beauchamp and Childress (2009) advocate using four ethical principles to assist clinicians in the decision making process; beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and autonomy. This paper will introduce the reader to these principles and explain how they can be applied to neonatal nursing.