In response, President Reagan’s Administration cited “ heightened public concern” surrounding care of disabled newborns. The Chicago Tribune reported some of his nurses sought psychiatric counseling while one of his physicians debated kidnapping him from the hospital. Moral distress overwhelmed some members of his care team who believed the surgery correcting his esophagus would have allowed him to survive. His parents were reportedly swayed by their obstetrician’s recommendations and refused the operation. The moral difficulties of “ playing God in the nursery” permeated all branches of federal government and national media in the 1980s.īaby Doe, born in 1982 in Indiana with Down syndrome, Trisomy 21, and a malformed esophagus, required surgery to allow water and nutrients to reach his stomach. When babies are fragile, unstable, face uncertain recovery, or face futures with severe disabilities, and parents weigh more complex decisions, American history dictates trust in parents further erodes. But even routine decisions, such as whether their babies should receive breast milk or formula, or whether their babies should receive vaccinations, are judged and debated. Trusting parents to make medical decisions in the best interests of their children may sound simple. Shared decision making between parents and pediatricians is sacrosanct. Parents’ proxy to make medical decisions for their children underscores pediatric health care. Anencephaly – absence of parts of the brain and skull – is neither treatable nor curable with modern medicine.Ī cornerstone of neonatal care is parental authority, a proxy for the ethical principle of autonomy that grants parents the right to make decisions concerning their children without governmental intervention provided these decisions are in the best interest of their children. Other severe disabilities present concrete prognoses. Congenital heart disease, for example, may be correctable with surgery but is also the leading cause of birth-defect-associated infant death. Some genetic disorders or complex conditions demand nuanced medical plans. Treatable diagnoses, such as cleft lip, are distinct from diagnoses pertaining to severely disabled newborns. Thank you so much for being an incredible pediatric office.The spectrum of diagnoses encompassed by the term “congenital disabilities” – structural or functional anomalies that occur as the fetus grows and develops – is wide. The front desk staff from my first phone call to check out were professional, knowledgeable, friendly and quick. She was so kind, so engaging, so knowledgeable and supportive. “After a very rough morning of two sick kids, I nearly cried after meeting Dr. Called for a last minute school form today and Jana was so helpful getting us what we needed! We’ve been at this practice for 3 years now and enjoyed our regular health visits with Dr. “I love this pediatrician practice and the whole front office. I truly feel my child is loved from the minute we walk in the door until the minute we leave. They seek to equip parents in all aspects of a child’s health (mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, interpersonal). They seek to not only track your child’s physical health but also to ensure your child can thrive within the family structure and within the world. They recognize the importance of strong families. “Cornerstone Pediatrics is truly a place that values your child’s holistic health.
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