Netherlands Confirms First Child Euthanised Under New Law Was 1 Year Old

The child was euthanized due to severe illness and suffering, making it the first case under a 2024 law allowing euthanasia for terminally ill children under 12

The child was reportedly born prematurely at just 26 weeks, leading to serious complications including “extensive brain damage” and multiple infections that led to sepsis by the time the baby was 4 months old.

At 8 months old, the child was diagnosed with a rare and serious form of epilepsy called infantile spasms syndrome (also known as West syndrome) and cerebral palsy. The seizures led to the baby developing a severe sleeping disorder, as well as suffering from respiratory problems, coughing fits and a swallowing disorder.

“In the course of the child’s short life, there was a complete lack of development or improvement,” the report states. “Every facet of ‘being human’ in terms of motor skills, behavior and personality was severely affected, and there would be no improvement. Despite all the medical and non-medical interventions, the parents and the physician saw no improvement in the child’s condition and were convinced that the child was suffering unbearably and without prospect of improvement.”

https://people.com/child-euthanized-in-the-netherlands-was-1-year-old-12145299


Australia should be just as humane as the Netherlands.

Make Child euthanasia legal in Australia, along similar Netherland conditions.