SMALL BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: ADOCATING FOR LEGAL GUIDELINES IN THE INTENSIVE CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS WHEN LEGAL GUIDANCE IS SCARCE.
Author: Brandy Booth
Currently there is a lack of legal guidance regarding the resuscitation and implementation of life-sustaining treatment for premature infants born in the gray zone of viability, causing inconsistency in hospital policy throughout the nation. This inconsistency negatively impacts the data collected, which is then heavily relied on by doctors to determine if a premature infant should or should not receive resuscitation and lifesaving medical treatment. Amending the current statute governing preterm labor and delivery to create a consistent procedure throughout the United States will help with the collection of data, understand the factors that impact prematurity, protect the rights of parents to determine a child’s medical treatment, and push for doctors to consider what other factors are involved when using a best interest assessment.