A West Australian toddler has been placed in state care because she is morbidly obese and doctors say her life is at risk.

The ABC understands the three-year-old weighs at least 30 kilograms, more than double the average weight for a child of that age as measured by the World Health Organisation.

The toddler comes from an Aboriginal community in the East Kimberley and has been hospitalised several times in Broome during the past year.

Doctors have advised that the child is at "significant risk of death" and needs to be close to a hospital with breathing equipment.

However, her family has refused to relocate to Broome or Perth, more than 1,000 kilometres from their home, so that the girl can receive treatment.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support (DCPFS) has secured a court order to have her put in the care of a foster family.

The girl's family fought against her removal, but she was flown to Perth last week and placed with a carer until a suitable relative or placement option can be identified in Broome.

The child is receiving medical care to try to reduce her weight.

DCPFS acting director general Emma White said the child had been removed under Section 28 of the Children and Community Services Act 2004.

"The Act states that neglect includes failure by a child’s parents to provide them with, arrange, or allow the provision adequate medical, therapeutic or remedial treatment," she said.

"This child is at significant risk of death and was not receiving the appropriate care."

Obese child removal not unprecedented: AMA

President of the state branch of the Australian Medical Association, Richard Choong, said the situation was "by no means common" but not unprecedented.

"A few years ago, I understand that a child was placed in state care under similar circumstances," he told 720 ABC Perth.

He said the Department of Child Protection often got involved in cases of obese children, but it was rare for them to remove children.

Dr Choong said the toddler would have multiple health issues.

"That has a huge impact on her long-term growth," he said.

"[There's a] high risk of diabetes, particularly early onset, the status of her liver, breathing difficulties at night which can lead to cardiac or heart problems."

He said the child would struggle to breathe at night because of the weight around her chest, which could become a big issue if she catches a cold.

"I think in cases like this, shocking as it is - and it's very shocking - no doctor ever takes this lightly," he said.

"It's a serious issue that we consider carefully because no-one wants to separate a family."