A one-year-old child with severe disabilities has been euthanized in the Netherlands, as confirmed by a government review board. This case marks the first instance reported under newly established regulations permitting the euthanasia of gravely ill children aged between 1 and 12 in the country.

The identity and gender of the child have not been revealed, but it has been reported that the child suffered from extensive and irreversible brain damage, severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and vision impairment, according to a report by the Netherlands’ Review Committee on Late-term Abortions and Termination of Life of Neonates and Children under 12, which evaluates such cases.

The child was born extremely prematurely at 26 weeks and three days while the family was traveling abroad. Following birth, the child experienced significant complications, including multiple infections that resulted in sepsis. An MRI later confirmed the presence of severe brain damage.

As the child grew, they developed spastic cerebral palsy and were believed to have visual impairment related to cerebral disorders. By eight months of age, the child was diagnosed with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, a serious form of epilepsy.

Just prior to the child’s second birthday, medical professionals estimated their developmental age to be around six weeks.

The committee stated, “Every aspect of ‘being human’ regarding motor skills, behavior, and personality was profoundly impacted, and there would be no possibility for improvement.”

There was disagreement among the medical team regarding the decision to proceed with euthanasia during the child’s treatment. The physician overseeing the child’s care sought an external evaluation from specialists outside of his region. These specialists concluded that the child was not experiencing continuous unbearable suffering and that there were still viable alternatives, including palliative care and medications that might better manage the seizures, according to the review committee.

Additional treatment attempts were made, but the committee noted that these led to further side effects, prompting their discontinuation. An independent physician later determined that the child’s suffering was both clear and intolerable, affirming that the criteria for euthanasia under Dutch law had been fulfilled.

The committee ultimately found that the physician who facilitated the euthanasia acted with appropriate care.

The Netherlands implemented these regulations in 2024 to address cases involving children experiencing unbearable suffering without any hope of improvement, where medical professionals agree that ending life is the only reasonable option.

The doctor involved in the case publicly discussed the unique nature of the procedure, expressing feelings of vulnerability. He mentioned on the NOS/Nieuwsuur current affairs program, “As a physician, you are in an extremely vulnerable position, as this has never occurred before.” He added that it felt like a “sword of Damocles” had been looming over him for nearly a year.

The physician expressed hope that this ruling would encourage families facing similar situations to consider discussing end-of-life options with their doctors. He stated, “I believe there are parents who may have hesitated to talk about the possibility of ending their child’s life before. Hopefully, this ruling will empower these parents to have those discussions with their healthcare providers.”

He characterized the ability to choose termination of life under such circumstances as “a form of emancipation for the child.”

The Netherlands was the first nation globally to legalize euthanasia in 2002, a law that also permits children aged 12 and older to request euthanasia under strict regulations. Physicians who perform euthanasia unlawfully in the Netherlands face penalties of up to 12 years in prison and substantial fines.

The committee emphasized that the core principle for terminating life in children under 12 is that the physician must conclude, based on current medical consensus, that euthanasia is the only reasonable means to alleviate the child’s unbearable suffering without prospects for improvement.