According to a report by European News Network on September 29th, after the Netherlands expanded its euthanasia laws, the first child with a terminal illness to be euthanized was only one year old. He became the youngest person in the world to pass away due to euthanasia.
The Netherlands will legalize euthanasia for seriously ill children aged 1 to 12 in 2024.
Dutch officials revealed in June that a child underwent euthanasia last year, but did not provide any further details.
An official government report released earlier this month stated that the child was a premature infant, suffering from sepsis, and was diagnosed with "severe brain damage" at just four months old. The child was also diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy.
The report states: “This child has difficulty clearing phlegm, which means it is difficult for him to expel mucus from his lungs and airways. In addition to difficulty breathing, this also significantly increases the risk of respiratory infections.”
"In the short life of this child, there were no signs of growth or improvement." The report also noted that when the child's condition showed no sign of improvement, the child's parents requested the doctor "end the child's life."
Dutch media reported that earlier this week, the Public Prosecution Office stated that no charges would be laid against the doctor who carried out euthanasia, following the recommendations of a committee. The committee ruled earlier this month that the doctor had fulfilled his duty of care.
According to data from the Regional Euthanasia Review Committee, in the past year, the Netherlands reported 10,341 cases of assisted suicide or euthanasia deaths, a 3.8% increase compared to 2024.
