title: Medically necessary sterilization of a minor with intellectual disability: a case report and historical perspective.
abstract: Medical necessity may lead to secondary sterilization of individuals with intellectual disabilities, but legal statutes mandate that certain procedures be followed in these cases. In this article, we present a case of medically necessary sterilization of an individual with intellectual disability, and we discuss important legal statutes that guide this practice in North Carolina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. nsowa@unch.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Nathaniel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sowa
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Division of Hospital Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Comprehensive Cancer Support Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NorthCarolina.
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Rosenstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D057828:Informed Consent By Minors; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016743:Mental Competency; D009657:North Carolina; D013244:Sterilization, Involuntary / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence