Below is a release on a clinical report appearing in the July issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: Monday, June 29, 2009, 12:01 am (ET)

The anticipated delivery of an extremely low gestational age infant raises difficult questions, including whether to begin resuscitation after delivery. In a new clinical report, “Antenatal Counseling Regarding Resuscitation at an Extremely Low Gestational Age,” the American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidance to physicians and hospitals who are counseling families in these situations. The report advises that parents be given accurate information about the prognosis of their infant. Whenever an extremely premature infant is delivered, a qualified individual such as a neonatologist should be present in the delivery room to manage this complex situation. Comfort care should be provided for all infants for whom resuscitation is not initiated or is not successful.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.