Threatened extremely preterm delivery at the border of viability represents a complex situation for families, caregivers and the fetus. Decisions about the appropriate level of active intervention are complicated by concerns regarding morbidity and mortality risks to the mother and infant, the stress of a potentially long neonatal intensive care stay and uncertainty regarding the infant's outcome. In our opinion, this process is aided by a consistent approach across caregivers and, ideally, health care institutions. However, evidence that extremely preterm infants are devalued relative to older patients with a similar or worse prognosis suggests the potential for a discriminatory approach toward these infants.
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