Advances in perinatology have permitted the survival of fragile neonates. Quality of life (QoL) has been considered a key element in medical decision-making. In this review we analyse the role of QoL regarding the decision of withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment (LST). The role of QoL is debated because of the conceptual difficulties it raises. The lack of consensus on its definition and the difficulties in measuring it objectively, mean that basing clinical decisions solely on QoL has some risks. To avoid a purely subjective assessment, the principle of totality, and the principle of therapeutic adequacy should be considered. In case of uncertain prognosis, some therapeutic persistence seems reasonable. If this does not benefit the clinical condition of the child, then it may be no longer appropriate to continue the LST in case of severe disabilities. QoL is essential in medical decision-making, but is insufficient as the only criterion.

围产学的进步使脆弱的新生儿得以存活。生活质量 (QoL) 被认为是医疗决策的关键因素。在这篇综述中，我们分析了 QoL 在决定暂停或撤回生命维持治疗 (LST) 方面的作用。QoL 的作用因其引发的概念上的困难而备受争议。对其定义缺乏共识以及客观衡量它的困难意味着仅根据 QoL 做出临床决策有一些风险。为避免纯粹主观的评估，应考虑整体性原则和治疗充分性原则。在预后不确定的情况下，一些治疗持续性似乎是合理的。如果这对孩子的临床状况没有好处，那么在严重残疾的情况下继续 LST 可能不再合适。QoL 在医疗决策中是必不可少的，但作为唯一标准还不够。