Ethical Dilemmas in Neonatology - Four Theoretical Cases and Three Monotheistic Approaches: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Israel's population is diverse, with people of different religions, many of whom seek spiritual guidance during ethical dilemmas. It is paramount for healthcare providers to be familiar with different religious approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe the attitudes of the three major monotheistic religions when encountering four complex neonatal situations. METHODS: A questionnaire related to four simulated cases was presented to each participant: a non-viable extremely premature infant (case 1), a severely asphyxiated term infant with extensive brain damage (case 2), a small preterm infant with severe brain hemorrhage and likely extensive brain damage (case 3), and a term infant with trisomy 21 syndrome and a severe cardiac malformation (case 4). RESULTS: Major differences among the three religious opinions were found in the definition of viability and in the approach towards quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatologists must be sensitive to culture and religion when dealing with major ethical issues in the neonatal intensive care unit.