Withdrawal of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in Neonatal Critical Care

Artificial nutrition and hydration is defined as the provision of clinically assisted nutrition and fluids via either the enteral or parenteral route, replacing the normal act of eating and drinking. When the prognosis is so bleak and the method of feeding perceived as burdensome and not in a child’s best interest, decisions may be made by the responsible medical team and the parents to withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration in a newborn. …