Non-disclosure of healthcare information to minors

The disclosure of healthcare information to patients is essential for them to be able to make informed decisions. Nondisclosure usually comes from a place of good intention and aims to promote the patient's good (beneficence) and prevent harm (non-maleficence) by not disclosing grim or poor prognoses. Parents wish to shield their children from receiving bad news, but often this is detrimental to their health. The healthcare professional has a role to advocate for disclosure to the child, in so doing promoting the child's developing autonomy.