Anencephalics as organ donors.
Anencephalics can be divided into a large group without a functional hypothalamohypophysial system and a smaller group with a functional hypothalamohypophysial system. Anencephalics of the first group do not live more than a few hours, whereas the anencephalics of the second group can live up to 3 days. Those with a functional hypothalamohypophysial system have shown pain reaction. In anencephalics without a functional hypothalamohypophysial system, the endocrine pancreas does not reach full maturation and the use of these glands for islet transplantation can be questioned.
Van Assche
F A
FA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
D000757:Anencephaly; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D014019:Tissue Donors