[Brain death in a pregnant woman and fetus survival].
A 29 year old woman suffered massive brain injury after a cerebellum hemorrhage at 17 weeks' gestation. Several hours later, and after brainstem test, she was declared brain dead. She was supported with intensive care during 56 days. After a cardiac arrest, on week 25, a 450 g infant was delivered through a cesarean section. The somatic support of mother and fetus according to the expected physiologic changes after brain death and its ethical implications are discussed.
Mejía
Raúl
R
Programa de Medicina Interna General, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires. rualmejia@ciudad.com.ar
Badariotti
Gustavo
G
De Diego
Bernardo
B
Ridruejo
Ovidio
O
O'Flaherty
Enrique
E
D000328:Adult; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001926:Brain Death; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005328:Fetal Viability; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000941:ethics*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic