Frequency of Brain Death in Children and Donation Rate

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of patients diagnosed with brain death after admission to thepediatric intensive care unit and the organ donation rate. Material and Methods: The study was carried out as a retrospective analysis. Patients diagnosed with brain death in the pediatric intensive care unit of the Ankara City Hospital were recorded in the patient form. The study was limited to patients admitted to the hospital between 1 December 2019 and 1 December 2021. Results: The data of the patients who died in the PICU (n= 325) were evaluated. A total of 17 (5.2%) of these patients were diagnosed with brain death (BD). The underlying diseases of brain death in 7 (42%) patients was central nervous system disorders (cerebral palsy, meningocele, hydrocephalus, etc.), head trauma (such as traffic accidents and falls) in 5 others (29%), and hypoxic-ischemic injury owing to cardiopulmonary arrest in the remaining 5 (29%) patients. Cranial CT angiography was performed to all patients as an ancillary test. Six (35%) patients with hypernatremia were diagnosed with Central Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Only one patient became an organ donor. Conclusion: The diagnosis of brain death should be made more frequently. People should be informed about organ donation, Many attempts should be made to influnce public opinion about the benefits of the organ transplantation.