Author Interviews, Pediatrics / 19.03.2014
Optimizing Neonatal Organ Donations
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr Joe Brierley
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Brierley: In the UK babies under 2-months of age cannot be verified as having died using ‘neurological criteria,’ due to national guidelines; whereas in North America, Australasia and other European countries his is possible. Because of this no organ donation from those under 2-months occurs in the UK contributing to the lack organs for small children who could benefit from such lifesaving interventions.
Our study finds that if the rules were changed to be compatible with other countries their would be a significant yield of organs from one specialist children’s hospital, and likely to be many more nationally.
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