The chronically ill child is one who has a life-long debilitating disease, which requires LSMT to continue to survive. Much of the current debate revolves around issues concerning the newborn. This choice was made based on the gloomy prognosis for the child presented by one of the physicians. Other physicians and hospital administrators went to court to challenge the parents's right to make such a decision. Intense public discussion led quickly to federal intervention.
Debate continues about the interpretation and effect on medical care of the regulations.
The next much publicized case was in 1992. Baby K, an infant born with anencephaly who was kept alive much longer than most anencephalic babies because her mother insisted she be placed on mechanical ventilation. A US District Court, and subsequently a US Court of Appeals, supported the mother's choice. Before Baby K, the medical standard of practice was to provide no artificial ventilation to such infants. The ethical issues are endless.