Neurologic Uncertainty in Newborn Intensive Care

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Abstract
DIFFICULT treatment decisions are often faced in an intensive care nursery. What treatment should be provided to which infant and for how long? These decisions are often difficult because of the presence of two types of uncertainty about the case. Medical uncertainty develops when the precise diagnosis and prognosis are unclear. Moral uncertainty develops when the expected benefit of treatment is unclear. In general, the medical diagnosis and prognosis must be determined first, since this will usually indicate whether benefit from treatment can be expected. Resolution of this medical uncertainty may then clarify the moral and ethical issues.Medical uncertainty . . .