Consent in children

From the time of Hippocrates, the practice of medicine has been largely authoritarian. Doctors relied on the notion of beneficence or 'doing good' to justify a paternalistic view that it was often unnecessary to obtain what, in the current era, we would term 'valid consent'. It is now clear that seeking consent before any healthcare intervention is both a matter of common courtesy and a legal and ethical imperative. Consent for healthcare interventions in children (aged < 18 years) requires special consideration. Current views on consent for healthcare interventions in general and, particularly, in children in the UK are summarized in this article. The relevant legal frameworks differ between the various legal jurisdictions both within the UK and in other countries. Some of the major differences are highlighted, but readers should seek advice from legal professionals to confirm the legal situation in their jurisdiction. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.