Kidney Transplantation from Anencephalic Donors

Abstract

CONSIDERATION has recently been given to whether anencephalic fetuses can appropriately be used as organ donors after birth.1 Our group has performed three successful kidney transplantations from two anencephalic fetuses, and we report the results after post-transplantation observation periods of more than 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years, respectively.Our approach was a response to a shortage of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation in our area. We were, however, aware of a variety of ethical problems2 that had to be considered before an attempt was made to deliver anencephalic infants as organ donors for either children or adults. These problems are . . .