Removal of Child's Uterus Broke Washington State Law

Seattle Children's Hospital needed a court order to perform an hysterectomy on a disabled girl named Ashley, according to an advocacy group.

Her parents opted for what's now known as the "Ashley Treatment" because they wanted to keep their disabled daughter small. In addition to a hysterectomy to prevent to eliminate the risk of uterine cancers and menstrual discomfort, her breast buds were removed to prevent cancer and potential sexual abuse.

"It is clear in retrospect that a court order should have been obtained before proceeding with the surgery," Dr. David Fisher, medical director at Children's, said in a news release.

The Washington Protection and Advocacy System claims Ashley's constitutional and common-law rights were violated when she underwent the procedure. The group launched an investigation after her doctors wrote about her treatment in October's Archives of Pediatrics &
Adolescent Medicine.

Read more about Ashley in Randy Dotinga's excellent story here. Watch out for more Wired News coverage later today.

Doctors Needed Court Order to Keep Ashley Small [Seattle Post Intelligencer]