title: Are we allowed to discontinue medical treatment in this child?
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?
authors: Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands; w.g.leeuwenburgh@amc.uva.nl.
authors: Wendela G
authors: WG
authors: Leeuwenburgh-Pronk
authors: Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; and.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Miller-Smith
authors: Verdugo Hills Hospital, Glendale, California.
authors: Vicki
authors: V
authors: Forman
authors: Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; and.
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Lantos
authors: Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands;
authors: Dick
authors: D
authors: Tibboel
authors: Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands;
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Buysse
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000628:therapy; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000941:ethics*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000941:ethics
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives
keywords: child; ethics; palliative care; terminal sedation; withdrawal of medical treatment