Affiliations: The Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, The New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences, Edison, NJ, USA | The Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, MI, USA | Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, UT, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Gary N. McAbee, Department of Neuroscience, NJ Neuroscience Institute, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08818, USA. Tel.: +1 732 321 7000; Fax: +1 732 744 5821; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The doctrine of informed consent is becoming an increasingly important ethical and medico legal issue and has significantly evolved over the past few decades. This doctrine is especially challenging in neonatal care because of the complexities of the physician-parent relationship and the uncertainty of therapeutic intervention and outcome. This commentary discusses two very important legal decisions about informed consent, which have received widespread attention in legal and insurance company publications. It discusses the impact of these decisions for neonatal care.
