Abstract

Medical providersProviders have attempted to predict neurologic outcomes for parentsParents of infantsInfant and children with neurologic injuries or anomalies for many decades. A desire to avoid the clinical outcome of a life lived with substantial neurologic disabilityDisability has been one of the principle aims of these prognosesPrognosis. Studies in recent years have increased concerns that these predictionsPredictions are of marginal benefit and can be harmful when providersProviders overestimate neurologic impairmentsImpairment. Novel technologies continue to emerge and find application for the predictionPredictions of an ever-expanding array of neurologic impairmentsImpairment, including mental healthMental health disorders. Appropriate ethical frameworksFramework and communicationCommunication guidelines are needed to protectProtect children and parentsParents from undue disabilityDisabilitybiasBias and to assist medical providersProviders in having meaningful, effective and compassionate conversations with families about possible neurologic impairmentsImpairment and outcomes.