The Ethical Dilemma of Saving the World's Tiniest Babies
The article explores the ethical and medical challenges of saving extremely premature babies, focusing on the case of twins born at 23 weeks in the UK. Advances in neonatology have lowered the age of viability to 22 weeks, but this raises questions about the quality of life and the potential for long-term disabilities. The UK's recent shift in guidelines to offer survival-focused care at 22 weeks has increased survival rates but also the number of babies who die after intensive care. The story highlights the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by parents and doctors in deciding whether to pursue aggressive treatment for these fragile infants.
