Parental Refusal of Vaccination Case Description: Parents of a 2-year-old refuse vaccines due to misinformation, risking herd immunity and the child’s health. Ethical Question: Should the child be vaccinated?
Adolescent Confidentiality Case Description: A 15-year-old seeks treatment for an STD and begs the doctor not to tell her parents. Ethical Question: Should confidentiality be maintained?
Life-Saving Surgery Refusal Case Description: Parents of a 6-year-old with a ruptured appendix refuse surgery due to religious beliefs, risking death. Ethical Question: Should surgery proceed?
Experimental Treatment for Child Case Description: A 10-year-old with terminal cancer is offered an untested drug. Parents consent, but risks are high. Ethical Question: Is this treatment ethical?
Teen Abortion Request Case Description: A 16-year-old, 10 weeks pregnant, seeks an abortion without parental consent, fearing abuse. Ethical Question: Should she get it?
Neonatal Resuscitation Case Description: A premature infant at 23 weeks has slim survival odds. Parents want no resuscitation; doctors disagree. Ethical Question: Should resuscitation occur?
Child’s Refusal of Treatment Case Description: A 12-year-old with leukemia refuses chemo, fearing side effects, but parents insist. Ethical Question: Should his refusal be honored?
Genetic Testing in Minors Case Description: Parents of a 5-year-old want testing for a late-onset disease with no current treatment. Ethical Question: Is this testing ethical?
Organ Donation from Minor Case Description: A 14-year-old wants to donate a kidney to his dying sibling, but risks are significant. Ethical Question: Should he be allowed?
Pain Management in Infants Case Description: A 6-month-old needs surgery with minimal pain relief due to risks, causing distress. Ethical Question: Is this approach ethical?
Parental Conflict Over Care Case Description: Divorced parents disagree on a 8-year-old’s cancer treatment; one wants hospice, the other chemo. Ethical Question: Whose decision prevails?
Adolescent Mental Health Case Description: A 17-year-old with depression refuses therapy, but parents force it, citing safety. Ethical Question: Should his refusal be respected?
Circumcision Debate Case Description: Parents request circumcision for a newborn for cultural reasons, but risks worry the doctor. Ethical Question: Should it proceed?
Child Abuse Reporting Case Description: A 7-year-old shows signs of abuse, but parents deny it, asking the doctor to stay silent. Ethical Question: Should the doctor report?
Palliative Care for Child Case Description: A 9-year-old with terminal illness wants to keep fighting, but parents choose hospice. Ethical Question: Should her wish be honored?
School Health Disclosure Case Description: A 13-year-old’s ADHD is shared with teachers without his consent, per parental request. Ethical Question: Is this disclosure ethical?
Forced Feeding in Anorexia Case Description: A 15-year-old with anorexia refuses a feeding tube, but her life is at risk, and parents consent. Ethical Question: Is forcing it ethical?
Cosmetic Surgery for Minors Case Description: Parents want a 14-year-old’s ears pinned back for bullying, but she’s unsure. Ethical Question: Should surgery proceed?
Sibling Bone Marrow Donation Case Description: A 6-year-old is a match for her dying sister, but parents push donation despite risks. Ethical Question: Is this ethical?
Neonatal Futility Case Description: A newborn with a lethal defect is on life support. Parents want everything done; doctors see futility. Ethical Question: Should support continue?
Teen Contraception Case Description: A 16-year-old seeks birth control, but her parents oppose it, citing morals. Ethical Question: Should she get it?
Research on Minors Case Description: A 12-year-old is enrolled in a drug trial with parental consent, but he’s scared of side effects. Ethical Question: Is this ethical?
Cultural Practice vs. Health Case Description: Parents of a 4-year-old refuse antibiotics for pneumonia, preferring traditional rituals. Ethical Question: Should treatment proceed?
Child’s Privacy in Therapy Case Description: A 14-year-old in therapy shares suicidal thoughts, but parents demand details. Ethical Question: Should the therapist disclose?
Parental Neglect Case Description: A 5-year-old with diabetes misses insulin due to parental neglect, risking complications. Ethical Question: Should authorities intervene?
Adolescent Gender Dysphoria Case Description: A 17-year-old seeks hormone therapy for gender dysphoria, but parents refuse, citing age. Ethical Question: Should therapy proceed?
Painful Procedure Consent Case Description: A 9-year-old needs a painful biopsy but cries to stop, though parents consent. Ethical Question: Should it proceed?
School Vaccination Mandate Case Description: A 11-year-old’s parents refuse school-required vaccines, citing personal beliefs. Ethical Question: Should the mandate hold?
Custody and Medical Decisions Case Description: A 7-year-old’s non-custodial parent demands experimental treatment, against the custodial parent’s wish. Ethical Question: Who decides?
End-of-Life for Infant Case Description: A 1-year-old with a lethal condition is on life support. Parents want withdrawal; doctors see potential. Ethical Question: Should withdrawal occur?