       Document 0060
 DOCN  M9620060
 TI    The treatment of non-HIV-related conditions in newborns at risk for HIV:
       a survey of neonatologists [see comments]
 DT    9602
 AU    Levin BW; Krantz DH; Driscoll JM Jr; Fleischman AR; Department of Health
       and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, NY; 11210-2889, USA.
 SO    Am J Public Health. 1995 Nov;85(11):1507-13. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/96036579
 CM    Comment in: Am J Public Health 1995 Nov;85(11):1484-5
 AB    OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of
       neonatologists about treatment of conditions unrelated to the human
       immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for critically ill newborns at risk for
       HIV. METHODS. Questionnaires were mailed to the 1508 members of the
       Section on Perinatal Medicine of the American Academy of Pediatrics; 63%
       completed the survey (n = 951). The survey included structured questions
       about treatment for hypothetical cases and open-ended questions
       eliciting reasons for decisions. RESULTS. Differences in recommendations
       for treatment by both maternal and infant HIV status were substantial
       and statistically reliable. For example, 98% of respondents recommended
       life-saving cardiac surgery for a neonate with no risk for HIV, but only
       93% recommended such surgery for a child of an HIV-positive mother; only
       50% recommended the same surgery for a newborn known to be infected. The
       corresponding figures for chronic dialysis were 91%, 61%, and 26%. Most
       expected diminished quality of life for both infected and uninfected
       children of HIV-positive mothers. CONCLUSIONS. Recommendations about
       life-sustaining treatment for non-HIV-related conditions varied by HIV
       status. These data on physician attitudes raise the possibility that
       infants labeled as HIV positive, whether infected or not, may suffer
       discrimination.
 DE    Abnormalities/*THERAPY  Adult  Aged  *Attitude of Health Personnel
       Comparative Study  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/THERAPY/TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seropositivity/*COMPLICATIONS  Infant, Newborn  Male  Middle Age
       Neonatology  Pregnancy  Pregnancy Complications, Infectious  Prognosis
       Questionnaires  Refusal to Treat  Risk Factors  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
       Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

