Decision-making and ethical challenges in paediatric palliative care

Many of the ethical challenges in palliative care for adults are also relevant in the paediatric setting; see Decision-making and ethical challenges in palliative care. However, there are some important additional considerations when the patient is a child, including recognising the best interests of the child, and considering the child’s autonomy in relation to decision-making. Decisions in paediatric palliative care involve consideration of the child’s family, including siblings. The ‘zone of parental discretion’ is a tool that can be helpful when there is disagreement between parents and healthcare professionals.