Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy
Published on: April 17, 2020
[Diagnostic criteria of brain death for Japanese children]
1Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo.
Insights
Japan's revised organ transplantation law allows infant and child donation after brain death, with family consent. New criteria ensure careful diagnosis in young children, excluding neonates and abuse cases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Law
- Pediatric Neurology
- Organ Transplantation
Context:
- Revised organ transplantation act in Japan effective July 2010.
- Enables organ donation from brain-dead infants and children with family consent.
- New diagnostic criteria established for pediatric brain death assessment.
Purpose:
- To outline the revised legal framework for pediatric organ donation in Japan.
- To detail the specific diagnostic criteria for determining brain death in children under six.
- To address the unique considerations for diagnosing brain death in infants and young children.
Summary:
- The updated Japanese act permits organ donation from brain-dead children, requiring family consent.
- Specific criteria exclude neonates, infants under 12 weeks corrected age, and suspected child abuse cases.
- A minimum 24-hour interval between two diagnostic procedures is mandated for brain death confirmation.
Impact:
- Facilitates organ transplantation for pediatric recipients in Japan.
- Enhances the safety and ethical considerations in pediatric brain death determination.
- Provides a legal and clinical guideline for pediatric organ donation practices.
Abstract:
In Japan, a revised act on organ transplantation is enforced from July 2010. This act enables an infant or a child with brain death to become a donor for organ transplantation under the consent of his or her family members. New diagnostic criteria have been set for children under six years of age. Diagnosis of brain death in infancy and childhood requires special caution, since an infant's brain has special features. The causes of brain death also vary according to the age. The new criteria exclude from candidates of donor neonates and infants under 12 weeks of corrected age, as well as cases in which the possibility of child abuse cannot be completely denied. The time interval between two diagnostic procedures must be 24 hours or more.
