Netherlands performs euthanasia on two-year-old child

Euthanasia was performed on a child in the Netherlands who was not yet two years old.

Consensus

• The child was two years old at the time of euthanasia.
• The child had severe brain damage, cerebral palsy (ДЦП), vision impairment, epilepsy, and respiratory problems.
• The child had been born at 26 weeks of gestation.
• The procedure was conducted in the Netherlands.
• The child's parents and doctors agreed that the child was experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement.
• Euthanasia for children aged one to twelve years has been legal in the Netherlands since 2024.
• The decision was reviewed by a medical commission and required approval from the prosecution.
• The case is considered the first of its kind in the world for a child under two.

Points of divergence

• The child was 'almost 24 months' old, making it the youngest person in the world to undergo euthanasia (excluding newborns). — tg_tvrain
• The child was two years old when euthanasia was performed, and the procedure was allowed under Dutch law for children aged one to twelve since 2024. — riamo
• Initial independent medical experts recommended trying other medications or palliative care, but treatment continued and worsened the child's condition. — vm
• The medical commission confirmed the doctor had thoroughly evaluated all conditions and acted cautiously. — vm
• The case involved multiple consultations and a temporary continuation of treatment after initial recommendations. — vm

Coverage (3 sources)

• Euthanasia performed on a child under two years old in the Netherlands. This is the first such case in the world — Дождь (Telegram)
• Two-year-old child first underwent euthanasia in the Netherlands — РИАМО
• Two-year-old child undergoes euthanasia for the first time in the Netherlands — Вечерняя Москва

Key entities

• Netherlands
• Daily Mail
• The Telegraph
• Izvestiya