Table 2 Main characteristics of multidisciplinary ethics meetings (N = 115)

Reason^a

 Low quality of life expected

96 (83)

 Disproportionate or unreasonable treatment

32 (28)

 Ineffective treatment

22 (19)

Composition

 Physicians of the department

6 (4, 7)

  Involved directly in the patient’s care

2 (1, 2)

  Not involved directly in the patient’s care

3 (2, 5)

  Residents

1 (0, 2)

 Physicians not assigned to the department

1 (1, 2)

  Palliative care specialist

69 (60)

  Surgeon

20 (17)

  Specialist in radiology and medical imaging

17 (15)

  Specialist in medical genetics

14 (12)

  Specialist in pediatric neurology

12 (10)

  Specialist in neurophysiology

12 (10)

  Family physician

1 (0.9)

 Paramedical personnel

2 (1, 3)

  Referent nurse of the infant

104 (90)

  Nurse manager

53 (46)

  Childcare assistant

7 (6)

  Psychologist

106 (92)

Decision^a

 Withholding of LST

90 (78)

  Resuscitation

90 (78)

  Use of catecholamines/vasopressors

36 (31)

  Invasive mechanical ventilation

55 (48)

  Surgery

16 (14)

  Renal replacement therapy

3 (16)

 Withdrawal of LST

58 (50)

  Invasive mechanical ventilation

52 (45)

  Catecholamines/vasopressors

9 (8)

  Antibiotics

9 (8)

  Parenteral or enteral feeding

2 (2)

Parental agreement with the decision^b

 Explicit agreement

49 (43)

 Tacit agreement

41 (36)

 Absence of agreement

10 (9)

 Impossible/difficult to adjudicate

15 (13)