Pediatric euthanasia
J. P. Orlowski, M. L. Smith and J. Van Zwienen
Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195-5086.
Pediatric euthanasia is currently practiced in the Netherlands on newborns,
infants, children, and adolescents, although exact numbers are not known.
Euthanasia in the Netherlands is generally assumed to be active and
voluntary, but some cases of pediatric euthanasia would have to be
characterized as nonvoluntary. Much of the motivation behind the euthanasia
movement and the performance of pediatric euthanasia in the Netherlands is
a genuine, compassionate desire to alleviate pain and suffering. In this
study, we review the Dutch experience, with particular attention to the
current practice of euthanasia on newborns, infants, children, and
adolescents. We discuss pediatric euthanasia from an ethical point of view.
We assert that more effective pain control, better symptom management, and
psychosocial support of the dying and their families would alleviate the
perception of suffering, and reduce the perceived need to resort to
euthanasia.
