[Limits for treatment of children]

The combination of medical innovations, media focusing and ambivalence on part of the medical profession has created unrealistic expectations and difficulties in accepting limited treatment. At the same time the application of controversial, poorly documented and painful treatment modalities raises severe ethical dilemmas when treating infants and young children. This dilemma is discussed with regard to surgical treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, aggressive physical therapy for severely disabled children, and treatment of extremely premature infants.