Ethics of Transition of Care of Pediatric Surgical Patients to Adult Providers

Abstract

Pediatric surgeons have significantly improved survival rates for children with complex conditions, transforming many previously terminal cases into long-term survivorship. What was once a few years of follow-up has now become decades, leading to patients living well into adulthood, facing new challenges that often fall outside the traditional pediatric care zone. This creates an ethical dilemma: balancing beneficence and non-maleficence while ensuring equity in caring for new patients who require our expertise. The process of transitioning pediatric surgical patients to adult care introduces further ethical challenges, especially when it comes to upholding patient autonomy and ensuring assent during the transition process. We will review best practices and ethical frameworks for transitioning pediatric surgical patients to adult care, ensuring that these patients continue to receive optimal care while respecting their autonomy and ability to make informed decisions about their health.