Najmłodsi dawcy narządów – opis przypadków oraz analiza problemu w Polsce

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IntroductionOrgan transplantation is often the only possibility to save lives in case of extreme organ failure. Unfortunately, the number of organ donations in our country is still quite small. AimThe aim of this study is to deal with the issue of organ donations among the dead children in Poland. Analysis and description of two cases of children were done, who were qualified as organ donors after their brain death determination. Patients and methodologyRetrospective analysis included two cases of children, who were hospitalized due to a traffic accident in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Zabrze, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice and qualified as organ donors. They were boys at the age of 3 and 9. Finally 4 kidneys, 1 liver, 2 hearts and corneas were harvested from those donors for transplantation. The study is based on the medical-nursing documentation. ResultsAmong 20 children, who had car accidents, and who were hospitalized in KITDZ in Zabrze in 2000–2010, in a state of imminent threat to life, four patients died. Two of them were qualified as organ donors. Conclusions1.In Poland transplantation among the dead children is still uncommon although it is a life-saving procedure.2.Although our case study is based on a small number of patients, it indicates that it is possible to qualify every second child, who has died due to severe craniocerebral trauma as an organ donor, who can save lives of those in need.