An Exploration of Ethical Considerations in Adolescent Maternal-Fetal Conflict – Balancing of Ethical Principles and Factors Unique to Adolescence Through Applications of Microethics

Abstract

Maternal-fetal conflict is a complex bioethical issue that evolves through the distinction of the fetus as a separate patient to the pregnant individual. The conflict is characterized by differences in best interest that may be competing between the developing fetus and the pregnant individual, particularly when respecting the autonomy of the pregnant patient may place the fetus at harm. When these conflicts take place within adolescent medicine, novel challenges arise due to factors unique to adolescence, including evolving autonomy, and balancing inherent vulnerability. This commentary explores some of these factors and how they uniquely shape adolescent maternal-fetal conflict. Further, it explores microethics, a field of bioethics that centers around the physician-patient relationship, as a mitigation tool that can be applied in cases of adolescent maternal-fetal conflict.