m


A child is a blessing to a
family.
Ú
 
 
mhings did not turn out
the way you expected it to
be?





2 




 
`



 

 
 
`
M Úirth deformities Ȃ defects, malformations, or
abnormalities, of a child
which are present at birth

mwo types:
1. genetic deformities
2. congenital deformities
M ienetic deformities- are abnormalities
present in the genetic
material
M
ongenital deformities Ȃ are defects/malformations
present at birth

auses of congenital deformities:
a. Radiation
b. Drugs
c.nutritional deficiencies
d. Úiological disease agents
Ouggested ways to avoid giving birth to a baby with
deformities:
genetic Ȃpractice contraception
e.g., vasectomy, tubal ligation

congenital- perform detection of serious

malformations and decide to have an
abortion (eugenic abortion/selective
abortion)

``
 

 
`
M mrisomy-21 Ȃ also known as Downǯs syndrome
- genetic disease which results from
the presence of an extra chromosome in the
genetic formation havinf a twenty-first  

chromosome rather than a twenty-first 
chromosome

haracteristics:
a. A broad skull (big-headed newborn)
b. A large tongue
c. An upward slant of the eyelids (identified as
à 
à
M Opina Úifida Ȃ has the following features:
a. An opening in the spine
b. Úulging sac resulting from the protrusion of the
membrane covering of the spinal cord
c. Opinal fluid and nerve tissue contained in the
swelling protuberance
d. Paralysis below the waist
e. No control of bladder and bowel movement
M ëydrocephaly Ȃ means Dzwater in the head or in the
braindz
-characterized by the accumulation of fluid
within the ventricles or between the membranes in
the brain especially in very young children
M Anencephaly Ȃ means Dzwithout braindz
- the brain is partially or almost totally
absent
M @sophageal atresia Ȃ closing of the esophagus
(muscular tube through which milk
or food may reach the stomach)
M Duodenal Atresia Ȃthe duodenum, upper part of the
small intestine, is closed off.
˜ m˜
 m




MOhould the malformed child be
given only ordinary care?
Or
MOhould extraordinary medical
treatment be given to save its life?
MOhould it be given no medical
attention at all and be simply
allowed to die?

MOhould it be killed in a merciful

way?
`









M Úrief the parents about all pertinent
information in connection with the status of
their malformed child.

M Informed consent must be observed as

much as possible.

 


  
˜

M @ven the most terribly malromed baby is a human
person, so its 
 must be respected and
safeguarded.
M Úut one should also consider the suffering of the
family.
M It would still be immoral te deliberately kill the
malformed baby, or to cause its death by act of
ommission.
Œ



M mhe malformed baby possesses an inherent dignity
and worth.
M Úut it lacks capacity to reason and to express its will.
R


è
an we not at least allow it to die with dignity?
è
an we not just let it die in a painless manner, in order
to liberate it from prolonged suffering and a hopeless
life?
èWould it be our duty to do so?
˜


M Which prima dutie is more stringent?
mhe duty to have a deformed baby be operated , the cost of
which is or tremendous and burden some to the family; or

mhe duty to just let the malformed child die in a painless

and quiet way?
M mhe physician is still responsible for giving all relevant
data that would help in decision-making.
j







M A proportionate good makes sense of what
we do.

M When a newborn is seriously incapacitated, then

the human harm prevented and the suffering
relieved by putting an end to its life justifies any
painless actof commission.
!



M Dzmhe greatest happiness for the greatest
number.dz
M May justify the act of putting an end to the
miserable life of a newborn with severe
deformalities with the following reasons:
Personal
Oocial



M Principles of usefulness, practicality, workability, and
beneficiality
M It depends upon the parentǯs financial resources and
sense of being pragmatic
M Úut if the childǯs deformities are so serious and severe,
the most realistic and practical decision would be to
put its life to end.
mëANK
YOU!