Severely disabled toddler euthanized in the Netherlands under new rules on the controversial practice

Updated on: September 29, 2026 / 10:41 AM EDT / CBS News

A severely disabled 1-year-old child has been euthanized by doctors in the Netherlands, a government review board has confirmed. It is the first case reported by authorities that was guided by new rules allowing for the termination of life of seriously ill children between the ages of 1 and 12 in the European nation.

The child, whose sex and identity have not been disclosed, had extensive and irreversible brain damage, severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy and visual impairment, according to the assessment published by the Netherlands' Review Committee on Late-term Abortions and Termination of Life of Neonates and Children aged under 12, which is responsible for reviewing such cases.

The committee said the child was born extremely prematurely, at 26 weeks and three days, while the family was abroad. The child then had serious complications, including multiple infections leading to sepsis. An MRI later revealed extensive brain damage.

The child developed spastic cerebral palsy and was believed to have cerebral visual impairment. At 8 months, the child was also diagnosed with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.

Just before the child turned 2, doctors estimated their…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/