Brain death (BD) is the irreversible and permanent loss of cerebral and brainstem function. It is relatively uncommon among new-borns who need life support. It is of great importance to confirm BD in new-borns with serial clinical neurologic examinations and ancillary tests. This article discusses criteria, diagnosis and appropriate testing for brain death in new-borns. Loss of brain function is also loss of human life, even though heart and spinal cord may still operate.
Development of cardiorespiratory support in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's), arouse the need to define brain death criteria in new-borns. BD diagnosis is vital for parents and medical staff to help them decide if a new-born should be supported further or not. Asphyxia, severe intracranial hemorrhage and infection are the most common causes of brain death in children. Because of major differences of brain…
