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Baby should be allowed to die, UK court rules

BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7471.875 (Published 14 October 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:875
  1. Clare Dyer, legal correspondent
  1. BMJ

    A profoundly handicapped baby at the centre of a legal battle between her parents and doctors should be allowed to die peacefully and not be subjected to further aggressive treatment, a High Court judge ruled in London last week.

    Prolonging Charlotte Wyatt's life by ventilating her if she has breathing difficulties would not be in her best interests, Mr Justice Hedley ruled, in the first dispute over a child's treatment to be heard in an open court in England.

    Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust took the case to court after Charlotte's parents, Darren and Debbie, …

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