Netherlands Euthanizes Two-Year-Old in First Case of its Kind

A two-year-old child has been euthanized in the Netherlands in what appears to be the first case of its kind for a child under the age of 12 who is not an infant.

The Dutch review board, the Committee for Late-Term Abortion and Termination of Life in Newborns and Children, confirmed the case and concluded that the physician involved acted with due care.

The child, who was nearly 24 months old at the time of death, was born prematurely at 26 weeks. According to a report by the board, the toddler suffered from severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, and visual impairment. The child also experienced epileptic seizures that were unresponsive to medication and had difficulty breathing due to mucus in their lungs.

After determining that the child's suffering could not be alleviated through medical treatment, the parents and the doctor made the decision to end the child's life. The report indicated that the physician had sought a second opinion from other independent doctors. Initially, these physicians concluded that the child was not continuously suffering unbearably and that palliative options and other medications could potentially offer better seizure control.

However, after the doctor sought another opinion, a physician concluded that the toddler's suffering was evident and that the legal requirements for euthanasia had been met. The committee ultimately agreed with the doctor's assessment, noting that "All facets of 'being human' - regarding motor skills, behavior, and personality - were severely impaired and were not going to improve." The report stated that "Despite all medical and non-medical interventions, the parents and the doctor observed no improvement in the child's condition and were convinced that the child was suffering unbearably and without prospect of relief."

Assisted dying for terminally ill children between the ages of one and 12 has been legal in the Netherlands for two years. Prior to this legal change, only newborns and individuals over 12 were eligible for euthanasia. Under Dutch law, parents must be consulted, the child must be experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of recovery, and a doctor must agree that the conditions are met, along with obtaining a second opinion.

The Netherlands legalized euthanasia for those with incurable illnesses in 2002, and the practice has strong public support in the country. Before the recent law modification, there was no clear policy for children aged one to 12 due to concerns about their capacity to make such decisions.