The legal and ethical considerations of obtaining consent in children are discussed. It is clear that the ‘emancipated minor’ concept is well recognized in most legal systems throughout the world, with the consequent legal capacity to consent to medical treatment. The outcome of refusal of treatment by the minor is, however, unclear and has never been tested in law. Refusal of treatment by the parent, on the other hand, is in the vast majority of cases not acceptable to the courts and they would therefore accept medical opinion about what is in the best interests of the ch