Netherlands Records First Euthanasia of Two-Year-Old Following Law Change

The Netherlands has carried out the euthanasia of a two-year-old child, marking the first instance of its kind since the government lowered the age restriction for assisted dying. A Dutch review board disclosed that the toddler, who was almost 24 months old, suffered from severe health complications.

While it was previously known that a child under 12 had undergone euthanasia in the country, the exact age has now been confirmed by a Dutch review board to be two years, with the child battling grave medical conditions. A detailed report from the Committee for Late-Term Abortion and Termination of Life in Newborns and Children stated that the child, close to their second birthday at the time of death, was born significantly prematurely at just 26 weeks gestation.

Throughout their brief existence, the toddler endured severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, and visual impairment. Additionally, they experienced epileptic seizures that did not respond to medication, along with lung congestion from mucus, which severely hindered breathing. After medical professionals determined that no further treatment could alleviate the child's suffering, the doctor, in consultation with the parents, made the decision to end the child's life.

An investigation conducted by the review board concluded that the physician who performed the euthanasia adhered to proper protocols. The report also highlighted that the doctor had consulted other independent medical practitioners for a second opinion. However, those initial consultants noted, "Those physicians established that at that time the child was not continuously suffering unbearably." They further added, "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."

Despite this initial assessment, the child's life was ended after the doctor sought an additional second opinion. This subsequent physician concluded that the toddler's "unbearable suffering was clearly visible" and that the criteria for euthanasia had been met. The committee ultimately affirmed the doctor's judgment, stating, "All facets of 'being human' - regarding motor skills, behavior, and personality - were severely impaired and were not going to improve." They added, "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 critically ill children aged between one and twelve years has been legally permissible in the Netherlands for the past two years. Before this legislative amendment, only infants (newborns) and individuals over the age of twelve were eligible for euthanasia. Under current Dutch law, parental consent is mandatory, the child must be experiencing unbearable suffering, and there must be no possibility of recovery.