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Am J Perinatol 2023; 40(12): 1265-1271
DOI: 10.1055/a-1682-2798
Review Article

The Role of Perinatal Palliative Care in Fetal Neurology

Sharla Rent 
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
,
Monica E. Lemmon
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
2   Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
,
Sarah Ellestad
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
,
Margarita Bidegain
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
› Institutsangaben Funding M.E.L. receives salary support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
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Abstract

Objectives Many serious or life-threatening neurologic conditions are first diagnosed during the fetal period, often following a routine ultrasound or sonographic evaluation after an abnormal aneuploidy screen. Such conditions represent a worrisome or unexpected finding for expectant parents, making the perinatal period a critical time point to engage and empower families encountering complex neurologic clinical scenarios. This review covers the role of perinatal palliative care in these settings.

Study Design This study is a topical review

Results The prenatal identification of structural abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord, radiographic signs of hemorrhage or ischemic injury, or evidence of genetic or metabolic conditions should prompt involvement of a fetal palliative care team. The inherent prognostic uncertainty is challenging for prenatally diagnosed neurologic conditions which have difficult to predict short and long-term outcomes. While many of these conditions lead to the birth of an infant with neurodevelopmental challenges, few result in in utero demise. Palliative care beginning in the perinatal period provides an additional layer of support for families navigating complex decision-making during their pregnancy and provides continuity of care into the newborn period. Palliative care principles can help guide discussions around genetic and other diagnostic testing, fetal surgery, and birth planning. A multidisciplinary team can help support families with decision-making and through bereavement care in the setting of fetal or neonatal death.

Conclusion Early palliative care team involvement can provide a more holistic approach to counseling, facilitate planning, and ensure that a family's goals and wishes are acknowledged throughout an infant's care trajectory.

Key Points

  • Many serious or life-threatening neurologic conditions are diagnosed during the fetal period.

  • Palliative care principles should be incorporated in the fetal period for affected patients.

  • Palliative care clinicians can aid parents and clinicians in shared decision-making.

  • Palliative care principles should be employed by all care providers in relevant cases.

Keywords

palliative care - fetal - neonatal - neurology


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 07. Juli 2021

Angenommen: 24. Oktober 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
28. Oktober 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
02. Dezember 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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