End of Life in the Neonatal Period: Effect of the Leonetti's Law on Practices in a French NICU

Abstract

Background: "Leonetti's Law" promulgated in 2005, has clarified medical practices regarding end of life in France. It has prohibited unreasonable obstinacy, has authorized withholding(WHT) or withdrawal(WDT) of treatments (mechanical ventilation, vital drugs, artificial nutrition) when they appeared "useless or disproportionate" and has alleviated pain even at the risk of shortening life. It allowed new reflections and proposals on ethical dilemmas by the French neonatal society which have previously included active ending of life(AEL) in exceptional circumstances.