Photo: Toyama University Hospital, where a boy under 6 years old was confirmed brain-dead, in Toyama on Thursday
Two years after the revised Organ Transplant Law went into effect, organ donation from brain-dead children has taken a major but cautious step forward.
The nation's first organ transplants from a brain-dead donor under the age of 6 were conducted Friday after a boy was confirmed brain-dead at Toyama University Hospital.
The revised law enabled transplants from brain-dead donors under 15 years old.
Although this was good news for young children awaiting transplants, the law revision requires stricter brain-death confirmation, checking that the potential donor was not a victim of child abuse and more consideration for the family members of potential donors.
Thus doctors overseeing transplants and officials of organ-donor networks must proceed with utmost care and consideration in cases involving young minors.
This week's transplants from a young organ donor mark a new era for organ donation in Japan.
Different conditions are eligible for organ transplants in children than in adults, such as congenital heart diseases. But despite the numerous young patients on waiting lists, few have any hope of ever being matched with a donor.
Read more: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120615004285.htm
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