Ethical Issues in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (original) (raw)

The article addresses ethical issues that arise in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), highlighting the complexities introduced by advances in medical technology, patient rights, and the high costs of care. It emphasizes the moral dilemmas associated with life support decisions, the need for careful assessment of treatment permissions, and the evolving role of children as organ donors, including the implications of nonheartbeating organ donation. The authors suggest that intensivists must navigate these challenges with sensitivity to both patient and family perspectives.