To Forgo or Not to Forgo: Nutrition and Hydration in a Child Perceived to Be Suffering Inordinately by Parents (TH366)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has deemed forgoing medically administered nutrition and hydration (MANH) for pediatric patients ethically acceptable in selected circumstances, when there is consensus that the provision of fluids and nutrition do not confer a net benefit to the child. The practice, for instance, might be permissible for a child who permanently lacks awareness and ability to interact with the environment or a child in the dying process for whom nutrition/hydration simply may prolong and add morbidity.

Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - January 25, 2020 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Sara Taub, Robert C. Macauley, Fernando F. Serna, Douglas S. Diekema Source Type: research