The aim of this study is to present the main ethical principles and referring them to the dilemmas of taking, or omitting resuscitation in neonatology. Rapid advances in neonatology increased the percentage of survival of newborns. Before 1970 withdrawal from the treatment of extreme newborns was the ‘norm’. Groundbreaking for attitudes toward newborns was 1981 and the death of the child ‘Baby Doe’. Then initiated the era of the command – everything possible to keep the child alive must be done. It is allowed to suspend treatment if there is no chance of survival of the newborn. We know the four main ethical principles. Patient's right to consent to the proposed treatment applies to people informed, able to make decisions. The infant is a patient unable to express their consent to the proposed treatment or resuscitation. The decision belongs to the parents and the medical team. The principle of not doing harm – means acting in the best interest of the patient. According to this principle, resuscitation should not be taken in situations not promising success. One should therefore abandon persistent therapy. The principle of justice – resuscitation should be available to every human being, if it is able to bring him/her benefits. Treatment should always be implemented with respect to this person. In addition to the human right to be happy and healthy – his/her first and foremost right is the right to live. According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, we recognize the personal rights of a man from the moment of fertilization. The same law states the principle of the sanctity of human life. Life is a gift from God and it should be protected as it is valuable itself.

Key words: ethics, resuscitation, neonatology, newborn.