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Jehovah's Witness and consent for blood transfusion in a child: The Indian scenario

K G Gopakumar1, T Priyakumari1, Manjusha Nair1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Asian Journal of Transfusion Science
|March 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Indian laws on pediatric blood transfusion consent are unclear, creating ethical and legal challenges for doctors and parents, especially in religious objections. This case highlights the urgent need for clear guidelines on minor consent for blood transfusions.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Law
  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Bioethics

Background:

  • Current Indian clinical guidelines and laws regarding consent for blood transfusion in minors are insufficient and ambiguous.
  • This ambiguity creates uncertainty regarding parental decision-making authority versus a physician's right to decide in the child's best interest.

Observation:

  • A case of a child with Burkitt lymphoma from the Jehovah's Witness denomination presented a critical dilemma regarding blood transfusion consent.
  • The child's parents faced a difficult decision due to religious beliefs conflicting with standard medical treatment.
  • The child experienced complications during treatment, intensifying the medical and medico-legal challenges.

Findings:

  • The absence of clear legal frameworks and guidelines made managing the case exceptionally challenging.
  • The situation underscored the complexities arising from religious objections to life-saving treatments in minors.

Implications:

  • There is a critical need to establish consensus guidelines and laws for elective blood transfusions in minors in India.
  • Clearer regulations are essential for transparent, smooth, and legally sound healthcare delivery in pediatric transfusion cases.
  • Addressing these legal and ethical gaps is crucial for protecting both patients and healthcare providers.

Keywords:
Blood transfusionIndiaJehovah's Witnessconsentmedicolegalminor

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