Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Identifier

DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-3812

Abstract

What is the best way to care for a child with severe neurologic impairment who seems to be dying and is in intractable pain? Can we give sedation as we remove life support? Is it ethically permissible to hasten death? In the United States, 5 states have legalized assisted suicide (although only for competent adults). In Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia is legal for children under some circumstances. We present a case in which parents and doctors face difficult decisions about palliative care. Experts from Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States then discuss how they would respond to such a case.

Journal Title

Pediatrics

Volume

137

Issue

1

MeSH Keywords

Belgium; Child; Female; Humans; Netherlands; Palliative Care; Suicide, Assisted; United States

Keywords

Palliative Care; Assisted Suicide

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