MUMBAI: A panel of medical experts has drafted guidelines to tackle the ambiguity over declaring brain deaths in the paediatric age group, particularly among neonates and infants. The proposed rules state that a baby born after 37 weeks of gestation can be declared brain dead and considered for organ donation.The panel brought together by the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplantation Organisation (Rotto), western India, has laid down protocols that address some of the complex issues in declaring brainstem deaths in neonates (0-28 days) or infants.

Among others, it recommends two apnea tests to be carried at intervals of 24 hours, unlike adults or older children where it is done six hours apart, as well as a confirmatory test such as EEG, if the brain death declaration is likely to be followed by an organ donation.The guidelines have been drawn from practices the world over, said the experts, adding that it is awaiting approval from Maharashtra’s Directorate of Health Services…..Readmore