The treatment of newborn infants with major handicaps. A survey of obstetricians and paediatricians in Victoria

We report the results of a survey of the attitudes and practices of obstetricians and paediatricians in Victoria with respect to the treatment of infants born with severe handicaps. Eighty-seven obstetricians and 111 paediatricians either completed questionnaires or agreed to be interviewed during the period 1981-1982. The treatment of severely handicapped infants is a matter of increasing concern to members both of the public and of the medical profession. The principal question is whether every infant should have its life prolonged by all available means, or whether some infants born with severe handicaps should be allowed to die. We attempt to identify areas of consensus and disagreement. We do not propound any particular point of view - our intention is rather to stimulate debate.