Legal basis for ethical withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining medical treatment from infants and children

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Volumn 43, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 230-236

  Tibballs, James ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE   (Australia)

^b ROYAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL   (Australia)

Author keywords

Law; Withdrawing treatment; Withholding treatment

Indexed keywords

CHILD HEALTH CARE; COURT; EUTHANASIA; HOSPITAL; HUMAN; INTENSIVE CARE UNIT; LAW ENFORCEMENT; MEDICAL DECISION MAKING; MEDICAL ETHICS; MEDICAL SOCIETY; MEDICOLEGAL ASPECT; PARENTAL ATTITUDE; PATIENT RIGHT; PRACTICE GUIDELINE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; QUALITY OF LIFE; REVIEW; TREATMENT WITHDRAWAL;

CHILD, PRESCHOOL; HUMANS; INFANT; LIFE SUPPORT CARE; VICTORIA; WITHHOLDING TREATMENT;

EID: 34147128660     PISSN: 10344810     EISSN: 14401754     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01028.x     Document Type: Review

References (26)

1. Provoost V, Cools F, Mortier F et al. Medical end-of-life decisions in neonates and infants in Flanders. Lancet 2005; 365: 1315-20.
2. Garros D, Rosychuk RJ, Cox PN. Circumstances surrounding end of life in a pediatric intensive care unit. Pediatrics 2003; 112: e371.
3. Singh J, Santos J, Meadow W. End-of-life after birth: death and dying in a neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatrics 2004; 114: 1620-6.
4. Vernon DD, Dean JM, Timmons OD, Banner W, Allen-Webb EM. Modes of death in the pediatric intensive care unit: withdrawal and limitation of support. Crit. Care Med. 1993; 21: 1798-802.
5. Rebagliato M, Cuttini M, Broggin L et al. Neonatal end-of-life decision making: physician attitudes and relationship with self-reported practices in 10 European countries. JAMA 2000; 284: 2451-9.
6. Devictor DJ, Nguyen DT. Groupe Francophone de Réanimation et d'Urgences Pédiatriques. Forgoing life-sustaining treatments: how the decision is made in French pediatric intensive care units. Crit Care Med 2001; 29: 1356-9.
7. Isaacs D, Kilham H, Gordon A et al. Withdrawal of neonatal mechanical ventilation against the parents' wishes. J. Paediatr. Child Health 2006; 42: 311-15.
8. In the matter of baby "K" (1993) 832 F. Supp. 1022.
9. Re F; F v F - BC8601367 - 2 July 1986 (Victoria - Unreported Judgements).
10. Baby M, Record of Investigation into Death, Case No 3149/89, 29 October 1991.
11. Clark KSM. The 'Baby M' inquest - some aspects of treating disabled infants. Law Inst. J. 1992; 66: 395-7.
12. Skene L. The quality of life and disabled infants. Law Inst. J. 1992; 66: 998-1000.
13. Re J [1990] 3 All ER 930.
14. Re Wyatt (a child) (medical treatment: continuation of order) [2005] EWCA Civ 1181.
15. Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] 1 All ER 821.
16. Messiha v South East Health [2004] NSWSC 1061.
17. Re L (Medical treatment: benefit) [2005] 1 FLR 491.
18. Re L.H.R. (1984) 321 S.E.2d 716.
19. In the matter of AB (2003) 768 N.Y.S.2d 256 at 35.
20. An NHS Trust v B [2006] EWHC 507 (Fam).
21. Anonymous.Sick Baby's Family Thanks Judge. BBC News. Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4808442.stm [accessed 11 April 2006].
22. Re C (a minor) (medical treatment) [1998] 1 FLR 384.
23. Re K (a child) (withdrawal of treatment) [2006] EWHC 1007 (Fam).
24. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Withholding or Withdrawing Life Sustaining Treatment in Children: A Framework for Practice. London: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2004.
25. American Academy of Pediatrics. Guidelines on foregoing life-sustaining medical treatment. Pediatrics 1994; 93: 532-6.
26. General Medical Council.Withholding and Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Treatments: Good Practice in Decision-Making. Available from: http://www.gmc-uk.org/standards/whwd.htm [accessed 31 May 2005].