Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a neurologically devastated child: whose decision is it?
A recent case highlights one of the on-going and unresolved controversies in pediatric ethics: who makes treatment decisions for children. Children, by definition, do not have the maturity to make medical choices. Those decisions must be made for them. The issue remains by whom and on what standard those choices should be made.
Paris
John J
JJ
Department of Theology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
Schreiber
Michael D
MD
Reardon
Frank E
FE
D003657:Decision Making; D004332:Drowning; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D035703:Therapies, Investigational / Q000941:ethics*; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*