Children and ethics in medicine

Pediatric patients are included in a vulnerable group which requires more attention and sensibility in medicine. One may come across with some specific ethical problems while planning the treatment and care of the patients belonging to this group. One of the leading problems is the autonomy of the child and their decisions about themselves. However, there is no certain percept regarding these matters. Parents are directive in treatment of pediatric patients as well. In addition, ethical prevention of child patients should be taken into account by whole medical team. This paper deals with how to approach pediatric patients ethically which are vulnerable and open to abuse in the light of the related literature and case samples. (Turk Arch Ped 2013; 48: 1-6)