A two-year-old child has been euthanised in the Netherlands after new rules concerned assisted dying for terminally ill children under the age of 12 came into effect.
According to The Sun newspaper, the controversial case is the first known instance of a child under 12 being euthanised under the policy, excepting newborns. The toddler, who was almost 24 months old, suffered from a series of severe medical conditions as a result of being born prematurely at just 26 weeks.
As per a review by a Dutch medical review board, these included brain damage, cerebral palsy, and visual impairment.
Reports say the child – whose gender has not been identified – also struggled to breathe because of mucus build up in their lungs, and endured epileptic seizures that did not respond to medication.
“Those physicians established that at that time the child was not continuously suffering unbearably,” a report read.
“The epilepsy caused a great deal of discomfort, but the epileptic seizures were not continuous.
“Their conclusion was that there were still reasonable alternatives, such as palliative options and other medications that could possibly result in better control of the epileptic seizures.”
The doctor sought a second opinion from a physician who found that the toddler’s “unbearable suffering was clearly visible”, and as such, the requirements for euthanasia had been met.
As per the review: “All facets of ‘being human’ – regarding motor skills, behaviour, and personality – were severely impaired and were not going to improve.
“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.”
The Netherlands introduced rules permitting euthanasia for terminally ill children under 12 in 2024. Prior to the change, euthanasia was permitted for newborns and children aged 12 and over, providing a set of stringent conditions were met.
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