AAP Guidelines Address Parental Requests for Nonbeneficial Treatments

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Amazon Big Spring Sale - Up to 40% off

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 23, 2026.

via HealthDay

MONDAY, March 23, 2026 -- Ways to navigate and resolve disputes related to parental requests for potentially nonbeneficial treatment are addressed in a clinical report and accompanying technical report issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online March 23 in Pediatrics.

Deena Levine, M.D., from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and colleagues provide practice guidance for pediatricians and other physicians for resolving disputes when parents (or surrogate decision-makers for children) request interventions that are not medically recommended and are considered to be potentially nonbeneficial, focusing on life-threatening situations.

According to the authors, it is ethically appropriate to forgo physiologically futile interventions and illegal interventions, irrespective of patient or parent requests. Physicians have a moral obligation not to offer such interventions. Formulating a goal-concordant treatment plan by first identifying patient or parent goals can prevent intractable conflict and is an essential step toward patient- and family-centered care. Gathering additional information and engaging relevant parties may be helpful if parents continue to request treatment that the medical team believes to be nonbeneficial. A clear process of resolution should be established, starting with obtaining a second opinion to help clarify misunderstandings and help parents and physicians to find common ground. Transfer to another institution should be considered.

"If a systematic and transparent approach does not result in resolution of the disagreement or transfer to an alternate location for care, there is uncertainty or even low-level potential for benefit of a persistently requested therapy, and there is no significant risk of harm to the patient, it is reasonable to consider the emotional burden to the family of unilaterally withholding or withdrawing medical interventions and consider continuing to provide ongoing life-sustaining medical treatment," the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to Chiesi USA.

Abstract/Full Text - Clinical Report

Abstract/Full Text - Technical Report

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-03-24 01:49

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords