[From the prevention to the annihilation of "unworthy life"].

Starting from race hygienic and eugenic ideas at the end of 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century the development and the execution of the "euthanasia of children" by the Nazis is described. Particularly the carrying out of the killing action is so-called "special children's departments" is dealt with in detail by the use of available investigations. Finally questions about the perpetrator profile and regarding the significance of ethical principles in child and adolescent psychiatry are raised.