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Peer-reviewed article

The Groningen Protocol

When Marieke was born, her pediatrician noticed skin erosions and blistering of the skin on all extremities. The lips and skin of her face showed raw red areas but otherwise she was vigorous and appeared healthy. She was transferred to a…

By John D. LantosJanuary 1, 20111 min readin Cambridge University Press eBooks

When Marieke was born, her pediatrician noticed skin erosions and blistering of the skin on all extremities. The lips and skin of her face showed raw red areas but otherwise she was vigorous and appeared healthy. She was transferred to a university hospital on the second day of life. Skin tests and biopsy revealed the diagnosis of severe dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Originally published at Cambridge University Press eBooks · January 1, 2011.

About the author

John D. Lantos is a pediatrician and bioethicist writing on AI in medicine, neonatal intensive care, and end-of-life decisions. His essays appear in JAMA, JAMA Pediatrics, the Hastings Center Report, the New England Journal of Medicine, and Aeon. Read more about John.

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