American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and Committee on Bioethics. Foregoing life-sustaining medical treatment in abused children
Abstract
A decision to forego life-sustaining medical treatment (LSMT) for a critically ill child injured as the result of abuse should be made using the same criteria as those used for any critically ill child. The parent or guardian of an abused child may have a conflict of interest when a decision to forego LSMT risks changing the legal charge faced by a parent, guardian, relative, or acquaintance from assault to manslaughter or homicide. If a physician suspects that a parent or guardian is not acting in a child's best interest, further review and consultation should be sought in hopes of resolving the conflict. A guardian ad litem who will represent the child's interests regarding LSMT should be appointed in all cases in which a parent or guardian may have a conflict of interest.
Source and rights
Published by Pediatrics, 2000. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.
Prognia summarises this guideline for reference and education. It is not medical advice. Always check the official guideline and current local protocols before acting on it.
At a glance
- Organisation
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Published
- 2000
- Applies to
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Scope
- National
- Journal
- Pediatrics
- PubMed
- 11061792
- Added to Prognia
- 25 July 2026







