Early Management and Decision-Making for the Treatment of Myelomeningocele at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: Observations Clinical and Ethical
With news of legal action against the Oklahoma University's Health Science Center, and the inevitable consequences of this suit on behalf of the 24 infants with spina bifida who were not recommended for active treatment, but allowed to die without benefit of surgery, antibiotics or sedation, the time seems opportune, before the nation's media heighten community emotions, to examine the crucial clinical and ethical basis of the OUHSC team's program as published (Pediatrics I ~83: 72: pp. 450458), and evaluate calmly, according to criteria which pass the tests of the whole community, their worth and soundness. This legal battle will excite passions and divide this nation. It has the ingredients of a Monday night movie. Its impact on law and medicine in America will be felt for years. For all of these reasons, prior to popular, partisan commentary, I hope this contribution will further the reflection among the health care communities closest, most involved and with the most to lose and gain.