RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Are We Allowed to Discontinue Medical Treatment in This Child?
JF Pediatrics
JO Pediatrics
FD American Academy of Pediatrics
SP peds.2014-0548
DO 10.1542/peds.2014-0548
A1 Leeuwenburgh-Pronk, Wendela G.
A1 Miller-Smith, Laura
A1 Forman, Vicki
A1 Lantos, John D.
A1 Tibboel, Dick
A1 Buysse, Corinne
YR 2015
UL http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2015/01/28/peds.2014-0548.abstract
AB 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?