- Consent from one parent is legally sufficient to proceed medical care that is the best interest of the child c
Exceptions to the requirement of parental consent
- Emergency and/or life-saving interventions (e.g., severe trauma, suicidal ideation, blood transfusion for life-threatening hemorrhage).
- The minor is legally emancipated.
- Minors who are parents themselves or who are married
- Care regarding sex (e.g., contraception, STIs, pregnancy care except for abortion in most states)
- Addiction care (e.g., health services to treat drug and/or alcohol dependency)
- Minors should be encouraged to discuss medical issues with their parents regardless of the exceptions that apply.
Mnemonic
- Sex (contraception, STIs, prenatal care— usually not abortion)
- Drugs (substance use disorder treatment)
- Rock and roll (emergency/trauma)
Parental Refusal of Treatment
Parents cannot withhold life-saving therapy or interventions that prevent permanent disability based on religious or personal beliefs.
- Acute Life Threat (e.g., Trauma, Sepsis, Severe Anemia in Jehovah’s Witness child):
- Action: Administer blood products/intervene immediately.
- Do not wait for a court order if emergency is immediate.
- Non-Emergency with Major Threat (e.g., curable malignancy / ALL requiring chemo):
- Action: Seek an emergency court order to mandate therapy over parental objection. c
- Non-Life-Threatening Elective Care:
- Respect parental refusal, provide education, and attempt negotiation/ethics committee involvement.