Abstract

The case of a 13-year-old patient who was hospitalized for a severe dermatological pathology and treated with high doses of steroids is presented. After several days of intensive treatment, the pediatric dermatologist, in response to the question asked by the patient’s mother about her progress, informed her that no satisfactory response had been obtained to the treatment, but decided to continue it for a few more days, hoping for a positive outcome.

 The girl overhears the doctor's response and angrily requests that the treatment be withdrawn, arguing that it is not helping her condition –a conclusion she has drawn from information provided by the ward nurse and from what she has read on Google. Additionally, she is aware that the treatment being administered will have side effects on her physical appearance. She refused to continue the treatment and asked to be discharged to go home.

 The doctor responds that she is not considered legally autonomous because she is a minor and that the decision to suspend treatment rests with her parents, who have parental authority. Therefore, if they do not request treat ment suspension, it will continue until deemed appropriate. The doctor also emphasizes that she must cooperate to facilitate the treatment process. The very distressed girl insists on her refusal to receive further doses of treat ment.

 The case is analyzed by applying the criteria established by the principle of respect for autonomy