When parents are thrust into new and uncharted territory with the birth of a critically ill or malformed infant, unanticipated medical ethical decisions are often required. We sought to study whether mothers and fathers approach medical ethical decision making differently. Methods Attitudes of parents who have had a neonate in the NICU were assessed using a 3 part questionnaire: 1-sociodemographic assessment; 2-rating of importance of theoretical principles in determining medical ethical decisions; and 3-choice of treatment options for hypothetical clinical cases. Results 80 mothers and 40 fathers were studied anonymously. Significant differences were observed in responses to the importance of theoretical principles.% of mothers vs. fathers rating a given value as extremely important in decision making are presented: Table Conversely, there were no differences in the treatment choices of mothers vs. fathers to any of the hypothetical cases. Percentages of each desiring most aggressive treatment in Down's Syndrome (90% vs 80%); extreme prematurity (90% vs 90%); asphyxia (90% vs 82%); congenital heart disease (93% vs 89%); and trisomy 18 (60% vs 76%); were all similar (p>0.05). Speculation Despite differences in theoretical approach, practical therapeutic strategies of both parents were similar. This may reflect gender differences in the decision making process.

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