Abstract
An ethical challenge arose when the parents of an adolescent girl living with severe intellectual disability requested for a permanent surgical intervention (hysterectomy) that would cause cessation of menstruation and reduce the possibility of pregnancy following nonconsensual sex. The family background was rural with poor access to extended family/community support, financial and social welfare resources. The parental distress was real with the adolescent incompetent to give informed consent. Is a non-therapeutic hysterectomy in an adolescent living with severe intellectual disability ethical? Views of a pediatrician, adolescent specialist, nurse, and an ethicist referring to literature suggesting an approach to an ethical decision are discussed herein.
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Contributors: SL: Conceptualized the article, drafted content for the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript for intellectual content; MLL, PMG, MRH, GDR: Contributed to the content for the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript for intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Lewin, M.L., Galagali, P.M., Hendricks, M.R. et al. Ethics of Managing an Adolescent Living with Disability. Indian Pediatr 61, 175–178 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-024-3114-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-024-3114-3