Is it possible to donate organs or tissue from infants born with anencephaly?
There are currently no active programmes, although advice should be sought from professionals if this situation occurs. It may be possible in some circumstances to donate organs or tissue, for example heart valves. Further information on this can be found in the 1988 Conference of Medical Colleges Working Party document on Organ Transplantation in Neonates. Further information on the diagnosis of brain stem death in infants and children can be found in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges codef of practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death (2008).
