EuroNews

Terminally ill child euthanised in the Netherlands was one year old, government says

Mirror

Netherlands Infant 2 Euthanised Assisted 37709218

NL Times

First-ever case of euthanasia on very young child, 2, was handled well: Dutch committee

CARE

One-year-old euthanised in the Netherlands

News.com.au

59E65Dd3B69B312D008F310Db9D8Fc64

Catholic Herald

Netherlands euthanised two-year-old in first case involving a non-infant child

Dutch Government

Is euthanasia legal in the Netherlands?

Review Committee for Late-Term Pregnancy Termination and End-of-Life Decisions for Newborns and Children Aged 1 to 12

LZA-LP&K - Late zwangerschapsafbreking en levensbeindiging bij pasgeborenen en kinderen

Termination of life for terminally ill children aged 1 to 12

Right to Life UK

Two-year-old child has died by euthanasia in the Netherlands despite doctors initially saying reasonable alternatives remained

DavidAltonHL

A Dutch review board revealed that a child of nearly 24 months who died at the end of 2025 is the youngest known person to die by euthanasia, in the first such case involving a non-infant under the age of 12 in the Netherlands.

A Dutch review board revealed that a child of nearly 24 months who died at the end of 2025 is the youngest known person to die by euthanasia, in the first such case involving a non-infant under the age of 12 in the Netherlands.

Born prematurely at 26 weeks, the child had severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, sepsis and epileptic seizures that did not respond to medication, along with mucus in the lungs that made breathing and swallowing difficult.

Born prematurely at 26 weeks, the child had severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, sepsis and epileptic seizures that did not respond to medication, along with mucus in the lungs that made breathing and swallowing difficult.

The Committee for Late-Term Abortion and Termination of Life in Newborns and Children found the physician acted with due care, saying all facets regarding motor skills, behavior and personality were severely impaired.

The Committee for Late-Term Abortion and Termination of Life in Newborns and Children found the physician acted with due care, saying all facets regarding motor skills, behavior and personality were severely impaired.

Independent doctors initially concluded that the child was not continuously suffering unbearably and that palliative options and other seizure medications remained. A further opinion found the "unbearable suffering was clearly visible."

Independent doctors initially concluded that the child was not continuously suffering unbearably and that palliative options and other seizure medications remained. A further opinion found the "unbearable suffering was clearly visible."

The Netherlands legalized euthanasia under strict conditions in 2002 and expanded the law in 2024 to cover children aged 1 to 12. Previously only newborns and those 12 and older were eligible, and Belgium allowed it for children from 2014.

The Netherlands legalized euthanasia under strict conditions in 2002 and expanded the law in 2024 to cover children aged 1 to 12. Previously only newborns and those 12 and older were eligible, and Belgium allowed it for children from 2014.

Dutch media reported this week that the Public Prosecution Service will not prosecute the doctor. Officials had expected the expanded law to apply no more than five times a year, and 10,341 euthanasia deaths were reported in 2025 overall.

Dutch media reported this week that the Public Prosecution Service will not prosecute the doctor. Officials had expected the expanded law to apply no more than five times a year, and 10,341 euthanasia deaths were reported in 2025 overall.

EuroNews #

Mirror #

NL Times #

CARE #

News.com.au #

Catholic Herald #

Dutch Government #

Review Committee for Late-Term Pregnancy Termination and End-of-Life Decisions for Newborns and Children Aged 1 to 12 #

Right to Life UK #

Ending suffering that medicine can't cure, after layers of independent review and parents who know their child best, was the most humane option in this tragic case.

Ending suffering that medicine can't cure, after layers of independent review and parents who know their child best, was the most humane option in this tragic case.

This is a heartbreaking situation and a slippery slope, as children don't have the agency to advocate for themselves. This issue still needs an ethical examination.

This is a heartbreaking situation and a slippery slope, as children don't have the agency to advocate for themselves. This issue still needs an ethical examination.

David Alton

Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind

Marcus Brandt/picture alliance/Getty Images

Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

Marcus Brandt/picture alliance/Getty Images

Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

Children and youth

Medicine & healthcare

Netherlands

Politics

When a child's every waking hour is pain, and every treatment only adds more, forcing that life to drag on is cruelty wearing the mask of compassion. Ending suffering that medicine can't touch, after layers of independent review and parents who know their child best, is the most humane medicine left. Mercy should not stop at an age limit.

When a child's every waking hour is pain, and every treatment only adds more, forcing that life to drag on is cruelty wearing the mask of compassion. Ending suffering that medicine can't touch, after layers of independent review and parents who know their child best, is the most humane medicine left. Mercy should not stop at an age limit.

Once killing becomes a treatment option, the safeguards bend until they break — here, doctors who said alternatives still existed were simply overruled by shopping for another opinion. A child too young to speak can't consent to death, so adults decide which lives are worth continuing. Every expansion starts small and never stays there.

Once killing becomes a treatment option, the safeguards bend until they break — here, doctors who said alternatives still existed were simply overruled by shopping for another opinion. A child too young to speak can't consent to death, so adults decide which lives are worth continuing. Every expansion starts small and never stays there.

Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

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Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

Dutch Toddler Is Youngest Known Euthanasia Case

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