Lethal Congenital Malformations: Palliative Therapy From An Islamic Point of View (LCM)

Security Forces Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Congenital Malformations

Treatments: Other: Palliative management

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02985385

SFH

Details and patient eligibility

About

To prove that palliative therapy can be practised for congenital lethal malformations within the Islamic Code of Ethics.

After defining lethal malformation no respiratory support is offered and newborns are provided with compassionate care.

Full description

This is a prospective observational study where all abnormal antenatal ultrasounds are discussed in a weekly prenatal meeting and plans are drawn for management of these abnormal fetal findings. Lethal malformations are defined as conditions which will end in death regardless of supportive care. Cases are discussed extensively and parents are involved in management decisions. When a decision of non- intervention is reached for a lethal malformation consent of the family is obtained and a plan of non monitoring for the mother is documented together with no resuscitation for the newborn. Families who do not consent to such plan are offered full support for the pregnant mother and her newborn. A record of all cases is kept available together with the management plan so that the appropriate action is taken when the the pregnant lady presents for admission. All babies with lethal malformations are recorded whether stillborn or live born and their diagnosis is confirmed. Survival time is recorded for each case.

Enrollment: 25,958 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 1 to 1 hour old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:All babies with abnormal fetal ultrasounds -

Exclusion Criteria: Normal babies who die in the neonatal period because of other causes not associated with lethal malformations

Trial design

25,958 participants in 2 patient groups

Abnormal Fetal Ultrasounds

Description:

Abnormal fetal ultrasounds: 1. Those consistent with lethal malformations are provided with palliative management without providing respiratory support. Are given feeding and oxygen 2. Those compatible with life are managed by full investigation and given standard care for each case

Treatment:

Other: Palliative management

Normal Fetal Ultrasounds

Description:

Given normal care