Dutch review board clears doctor who euthanized severely disabled 1-year-old

A Dutch review committee confirmed that doctors euthanized a severely disabled 1-year-old, the first case reported by authorities under rules allowing termination of life for seriously ill children aged 1 to 12. 1 2 The child, whose identity is undisclosed, was born at 26 weeks and three days while the family was abroad, and had brain damage, severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy and visual impairment. 1 2 The committee concluded the physician "acted with due care". 1 2

Newsweek reports the parents asked the physician to end the child's life and that their position was consistent; it also says the toddler died in late 2025 and that Health Minister Sophie Hermans disclosed the case to parliament in June. 2 Not all doctors agreed: outside physicians consulted said the child was not continuously suffering unbearably and that palliative options and other medications remained, though a later independent doctor found the suffering clear and unbearable. 1 The treating doctor told Dutch broadcaster NOS/Nieuwsuur that he felt vulnerable, as a "sword of Damocles" had hung over him for almost a year, and hoped the ruling would help other families raise the option. 1 2

Cardinal Wim Eijk, chair of the Dutch bishops' conference, criticized the decision and argued palliative care is the truly merciful response. 2 Newsweek adds that a US law professor, Thaddeus Mason Pope, expects more countries may permit child euthanasia but sees no moves in the US to do so. 2