Are We Allowed to Discontinue Medical Treatment in This Child?

Wendela G. Leeuwenburgh-Pronk, Laura Miller-Smith, Vicki Forman, John D. Lantos, Dick Tibboel, Corinne Buysse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

One of the most difficult ethical dilemmas in pediatrics today arises when a child has complex chronic conditions that are not curable and cause discomfort with no prospect of any improvement on quality of life. In the context of medical futility, it is harmful to prolong medical treatment. The question is: How can medical treatment be discontinued when the child is not dependent on mechanical ventilation or ICU treatment? What is the appropriate palliative care and does it justify the use of sedatives or analgesics if this also might shorten life?
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)545-549
JournalPediatrics
Volume135
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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