The Netherlands has confirmed that child under the age of 12 has undergone euthanasia for the first time since the country expanded its end-of-life legislation to include young children.
The case was disclosed in a letter sent to the Dutch parliament by Health Minister Sophie Hermans, who said the procedure took place at the end of last year. Officials did not release the child’s identity. The development comes two years after Dutch law was updated to allow euthanasia for incurably ill children aged one to 12. Prior to the change, euthanasia rules applied only to newborns and patients aged 12 and older, reports the Telegraph.
Under the framework, euthanasia may only proceed if the child is suffering unbearably with no prospect of recovery, and if parents have been consulted. The law also requires medical review before and after the procedure.
The number of cases had been expected to remain limited when the law was introduced, with estimates of around five to 10 annually for children in this age group.
The legislation was intended for situations involving children with incurable conditions expected to lead to death in the foreseeable future where suffering cannot be adequately relieved through other medical options. Before the reform, Dutch law did give a framework for euthanasia in children between one and 12 years old, because they were considered unable to make independent medical decisions. Separate rules already existed for infants under one year old and for minors aged 12 and above.
Photo is AI generated.
The case was disclosed in a letter sent to the Dutch parliament by Health Minister Sophie Hermans, who said the procedure took place at the end of last year. Officials did not release the child’s identity. The development comes two years after Dutch law was updated to allow euthanasia for incurably ill children aged one to 12. Prior to the change, euthanasia rules applied only to newborns and patients aged 12 and older, reports the Telegraph.
Under the framework, euthanasia may only proceed if the child is suffering unbearably with no prospect of recovery, and if parents have been consulted. The law also requires medical review before and after the procedure.
The number of cases had been expected to remain limited when the law was introduced, with estimates of around five to 10 annually for children in this age group.
The legislation was intended for situations involving children with incurable conditions expected to lead to death in the foreseeable future where suffering cannot be adequately relieved through other medical options. Before the reform, Dutch law did give a framework for euthanasia in children between one and 12 years old, because they were considered unable to make independent medical decisions. Separate rules already existed for infants under one year old and for minors aged 12 and above.
Photo is AI generated.
