This is the first time in Britain that a transplant has taken place from organs of such a young person.
The parents of a British baby who died at 6 days old chose to donate their daughter’s organs to patients awaiting transplants, helping to save two lives.
Born by Caesarean section in Trust’s Hammersmith Hospital in London, the baby suffered extensive brain damage as a result of oxygen deprivation during pregnancy. While the prognosis was hopeless for the little girl, hospital staff spoke with the parents about the possibility of organ donation. They agreed to donate the liver and kidneys of the baby, so that they benefit sick patients awaiting transplants.
“It is thanks to the immense generosity of the parents and the wonderful professional collaboration between the neonatal service and the organ donation team that the operation was a success,” said Dr Gaurav Atreja, consultant of the service. neonatal hospital. He explains that for many bereaved families, newborn organ donation instills “a tremendous sense of comfort, knowing that these organs will help sick people. “
The event highlights the fact that in the UK many newborns could allow other babies to live through organ donation, but doctors say they are blocked by current guidelines. When a baby needs a transplant, he may rarely require an organ from an adult because of its size, while another baby’s organ is fine. But in the UK, the guidelines have been the same since 1991: the organ donation of a newborn baby is only possible if the baby is brain dead. In several European countries (including France), Canada, the United States and Australia, organ donation of a baby is also possible when the death follows a cardiac arrest for which resuscitation attempts did not succeed.
“Any clarification that could strengthen organ donation and increase the number of transplanted organs is welcome, especially when parents of newborn babies are keen to bring out something positive about their own tragedy,” said the professor. James Neuberger of the National Health Service Organ Donation. “We hope that neonatal units across the country will actively begin to reflect on this noble cause,” concluded Dr Gaurav Atreja.
Read also :
Organ transplant: “stopped heart” harvesting authorized
Premature baby: the Poitiers University Hospital decides to stop treatment
Lung transplant: donors should not drink alcohol
Organ donation: do you know what the law says?
