Ethical values in the relation between the physician and the patient have undergone changes in the last decade. The most significant is that the participation of the patient in medical decisions has become an ethical concern. Therefore, obtaining informed consent from the patient is one of the most underscored issues. However, getting informed consent in children has unique aspects, involving the physician, child and family/legal guardian, and thus, creating ethical problems. Children under the age of legal competence are dependent upon their families in decisions, which leaves them without this right. This is an issue challenging the current notion of medical ethics. Children, particularly mature minors and adolescents, should be allowed to participate to a large extent, in the decision-making process.

Keywords: tıp etiği, çocuklarda aydınlatılmış onam, etik ikilem