A post-mortem population survey on foetal-infantile end-of-life decisions : a research protocol

Background: The death of a child before or shortly after birth is frequently preceded by an end-of-life decision (ELD). Population-based studies of incidence and characteristics of ELDs in neonates and infants are rare, and those in the foetal-infantile period (> 22 weeks of gestation - 1 year) including both neonates and stillborns, are nonexistent However, important information is missed when decisions made before birth are overlooked. Our study protocol addresses this knowledge gap. Methods: First, a new and encompassing framework was constructed to conceptualise ELDs in the foetal-infan... Mehr ...