Abstract
Who decides when a child is dead? The story of Jahi McMath has brought this question
into focus for pediatric intensivists, ethicists, and the American public. In this
article, we address this question by arguing that medical professionals do not have
an obligation to acquiesce when families insist upon postmortem therapies. To do so
may harm the dignity of the child by subjecting him or her to procedures that objectify
the body, damage the child's reputation, and violate his or her privacy. Applying
this answer to the real world of pediatric intensive care, we suggest practices meant
to preserve the dignity of the child while accepting that the family is struggling
to understand the tragedy. Muddled communication or an unyielding attitude will fail
to help the family understand and cope with the death of their young loved one. Clear
and honest communication—in conjunction with an empathetic disposition—can improve
pre- and postmortem care for both patient and family.
Keywords
brain death - irreversible coma - pediatrics - ethics - grief - empathy - person -
suffering
