9-day-old infant ‘donates’ kidney to 8-month-old baby

9-day-old infant ‘donates’ kidney to 8-month-old baby

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 9:50 am


Photo: China Daily

A nine- day –old- infant has become the world’s youngest organ donor after she donated a kidney which helped to save the life of an 8-months-old baby in China, according to a report in ECNS.CN, a Chinese newspaper.

The newspaper report that the infant who died in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province. was born of on July 17 through emergency cesarean operation over placental abruption in Kunming’s Maternal and Child Health Hospital.

However, the world youngest organ donor was born with severe asphyxia and remained in coma for four days even after continuous efforts to save her life.

She was diagnosed as brain dead on the seventh day.

“She is my child, even if she has only been in the world for a very short time,” said the father of the infant whose mother was only identified as Zuo was quoted as saying in the story.

“I hope her organ can save other’s life. We would be glad to see that.”

The infant’s grandmother signed the donation documents and granted the donation after being told of the miserable story of the 8-months-old baby boy.

The infant’s mother also authorized the donation through written commitment.

The infant’s heartbeat stopped after the breathing machine was removed on 26, July. One of her kidney, taken after two hours’ operation, was at once air lifted to Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province. The kidney was transplanted to the 8-months-old boy through a transplantation operation that lasted seven hours same day.

“I was very much touched, as I know losing a baby is a huge strike to a family,” said Li Ke, an officer from Red Cross China. “At this tough time, they can still give a helping hand to others, which is admirable indeed.”

The newspaper also quoted the surgeon who performed the operation Zhao Yongheng as confirming that the kidney well matched the receiver and it has started functioning in his body.

Story originally published by ECNS.CN

 

 


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