Dutch Review Board’s Euthanasia Ruling and International Debate

A Dutch review board has ruled that a doctor’s euthanizing of a 1-year-old with severe disabilities was done ‘with due care’, igniting global debate about end-of-life decisions for children who cannot express themselves.

The child passed away in late 2025, with Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans revealing the case to parliament in June. This case is noteworthy as the first reported under the expanded 2024 rules in the Netherlands, which now include children whose suffering is unbearable and untreatable.

In the Netherlands, all cases involving abortions after 24 weeks and the termination of life for children up to age 12 are subjected to review. A committee comprising an ethicist, legal expert, and medical specialist assesses whether the physician adhered to the standards, sharing their findings with the doctor and law enforcement.

Euthanasia Legal Practices Worldwide

While the Netherlands boasts comprehensive assisted-dying laws, countries such as Belgium, Spain, Canada, Colombia, and Ecuador also permit euthanasia or assisted dying under specific conditions.

Details on the Child

The child’s identity remains undisclosed, but reports contain information about the diagnosis: severe epilepsy, brain damage, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy. Born abroad and severely premature at 26 weeks, 3 days, the child was unable to communicate.

The report states that thorough discussions about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options were held with the parents. As the child’s condition visibly worsened, the parents requested life termination. After extensive communication between the physician and the parents, the child was sedated using midazolam and morphine before coma-inducing substances led to deep sedation and death.

Reasons for Dutch Doctors’ Euthanasia Decision

The treating doctor told a Dutch media outlet that he views the ruling as a potential option for similar cases, citing the vulnerable position of the doctor in this unprecedented situation.

“As a doctor, you are in an extremely vulnerable position, because this has never happened before,” he said.

Some doctors contest the decision, arguing the child didn’t continuously suffer and other medical avenues existed. Notably, Cardinal Wim Eijk expressed dissent, advocating adequate care and palliative solutions instead.

Potential U.S. Cases

Euthanasia remains illegal in the U.S., with physician-assisted dying available only to select competent adults in certain states. Law professor Thaddeus Mason Pope indicates an expansion trend internationally.

“More countries are permitting euthanasia for children,” he said. “We here in the U.S. already permit one individual to cause the death of another by withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy.”

However, adopting the Netherlands’ framework appears unlikely. Pope notes a clear absence of initiatives to extend Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) for minors in the U.S.

If contemplating suicide, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “988” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org.