Hoping Against Hope: Ethical Considerations when Trying Unproven Treatments for Seriously Ill Children.

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Asian bioethics review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ji Hyun YangDivision of Medical Law and Ethics, Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, College o Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.ORCID 0000-0003-3590-9356

Yumi SonDepartment of Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.ORCID 0000-0002-5128-6972

Ilhak LeeDivision of Medical Law and Ethics, Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, College o Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.ORCID 0000-0002-6531-8752

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Modern medicine is continually evolving, yet developing and validating new treatments for paediatric patients presents significant challenges. Ethical dilemmas often arise when parents consider nonstandard treatments for their children, driven by desperation and the hope of finding effective interventions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for robust ethical frameworks to guide thier decision-making processes. Such frameworks must include the necessity for informed consent, ensuring that parents understand the potential risks and benefits of unproven treatments. Additionally, clear and open communication between parents and healthcare providers throughout the treatment journey is crucial. This ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of paediatric patients, considering their unique needs and vulnerabilities. By addressing the ethical considerations of trying unproven treatment for seriously ill children, healthcare professionals can better navigate these complexities, and ultimately foster a more compassionate and ethically sound healthcare environment.

Indexed as

Compassionate useComplementary and alternative medicineOff-label usePaediatricsParental rightsSurrogate decision-making

Identifiers

PMID40225800

DOI10.1007/s41649-024-00340-2

PMCPMC11981968

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.