Children's Hospital ethics committees. A first estimate

S. Leikin

Special committees are being formed in hospitals to help deal with ethical problems presented by seriously ill infants and children. The functions of these multidisciplinary groups are to recommend policy and educate staff members about ethical matters and provide ethical consultation to parties involved in the care of these patients. This article provides a historical background of the formation of these committees and describes the development, constitution, and practices of the recently formed ethics committee of the Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, DC. Ethical decision-making for the sick incompetent child requires determining his or her best interest. The committee's problems related to this determination and other questions are discussed to inform those working in pediatric health care and to help guide them in their future efforts in ethical decision making for minors.