A child just two years old was euthanized in the Netherlands, in the first known case of a child under the age of 12 undergoing assisted dying in the country.
The case came to light following the publication of a report by the Commission on Late-Term Abortions and the Termination of Life in Newborns and Children, which examined the circumstances under which the procedure took place.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to the report, the child was nearly 24 months old when he died and had been born prematurely, at just 26 weeks of gestation.
During his short life, he faced serious health problems, including cerebral palsy, severe visual impairment, seizures that did not respond to medication, and a buildup of mucus in his lungs that made breathing very difficult.
The child’s doctors and parents concluded that his condition could not be treated with any other medical interventions.
The committee’s assessment
The relevant committee determined that the doctor who performed the euthanasia acted in accordance with established protocols and exercised due care.
The report states that the doctor had sought the opinion of independent experts for a second evaluation.
The first doctors who examined the case concluded that, despite the severity of the situation, the child was not experiencing “constant unbearable suffering,” as the seizures, although causing intense distress, were not continuous. At the same time, they noted that there were still certain alternative options, such as palliative care and different drug therapies that might potentially alleviate the symptoms.
However, following a new medical evaluation, another doctor determined that the child’s “intolerable suffering” was evident and that the conditions for ending his life were met.
The committee accepted this assessment, noting that all aspects of the child’s functioning—from motor skills to behavior and personality —had been severely affected, and no improvement was expected. “Despite all medical and non-medical interventions, the parents and the doctor observed no improvement in the child’s condition and were convinced that he was suffering with no prospect of relief,” the report stated.
The Legal Framework for Euthanasia
in the Netherlands Two years ago, the Netherlands legalized assisted dying for children aged one to 12 suffering from serious and incurable illnesses. Prior to this change, euthanasia was permitted only for newborns and for individuals over the age of 12.
Under Dutch law, for children under 12, parental consent is required; the child must be experiencing unbearable suffering, and there must be no prospect of recovery.
In all other cases of euthanasia in the Netherlands, the request must come from the patient themselves, and the doctor must determine that the suffering is unbearable and that there is no prospect of improvement. A second medical opinion is also required, along with confirmation that the patient is not acting under duress.
In 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia for patients with terminal illnesses. The issue continues to enjoy broad social acceptance in the country, while the extension of the framework to children aged 1 to 12 was the subject of intense public debate, as there had been no clear policy for this age group until then.
Source: Proto Thema
