Abstract
The book introduces the professional public to many fundamental ethical topics in paediatrics and neonatology. It does not avoid controversial topics that arise along with the progress of science and the possibilities of technology in medicine.
It connects philosophy, ethics, law, and scientific knowledge with clinical practice. The introductory part of the book is devoted to general ethical topics, thinking about life values and developmental needs.
It defines the basic principles of bioethics and key terms and directions of ethics. The chapters of the second and third parts reflect on the clinical and psychosocial issues of paediatrics and neonatology.
They are devoted to the ethics of palliative care, limits of viability, intensive, developmental and follow-up care in neonatology; they address the issues of pain, dying, (not) starting and ending life-sustaining treatment. At all times, they emphasize accompanying the family of the sick child.
Seemingly peripheral areas such as research ethics, psychology, genetics, childhood nutrition, the right to breast-feeding and nutrition with mother's milk, the legal and ethical issues of baby boxes, surrogate motherhood, caesarean sections on request and vaccination issues are also covered. Attention is also paid to teenagers.
The last, fourth section is devoted to ethical and legal contexts. It discusses the best interest of the child, protection of the child's rights, substitute decision-making, informed consent in paediatrics with other relevant topics.
The monograph is intended for health professionals (both doctors and nurses) in the field of paediatrics, neonatology, and palliative care. It can also benefit students and caregivers who work at the health-social border in paediatrics.