Below is a news brief on a clinical report appearing in the August issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: Monday, July 27, 2009, 12:01 am (ET)

Medical professionals often withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment when the intervention no longer provides a benefit to the patient. The deaths of most children in American hospitals occur after critical care interventions are withdrawn. The new American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report, “Forgoing Medically Provided Nutrition and Hydration in Children: Guidance for Ethical Decision-Making,” describes the medical, ethical and legal issues related to the withholding or withdrawing of medically provided fluids and nutrition in children in specific, limited circumstances. The AAP also states that treatment decisions for infants and children should be made based on individual circumstances and should consider whether the benefits will outweigh the burdens associated with the attempted intervention. Ethics consultation is highly recommended when difficult or controversial decisions are being considered. Parents or guardians should participate in the consultation and share the decision-making with the child’s physician at all times.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.