The noble decision of an eleven-year-old father who died in the Kaunas clinics will help save three lives

June 21 At the resuscitation of LSMUL Kaunas clinics, a child’s brain was declared dead. Doctors had to initiate the most sensitive conversation in life, asking the question, whether parents would agree that their child would save other seriously ill people after death. Despite the extremely severe pain of the loss of the child, these noble people pledged the donation.

“We cannot understand the pain that the parents and relatives of the dead child are experiencing. However, we believe that consent to the donation has given meaning to this enormous sacrifice. From now on, the particle of the child will continue to live in three people. Thank you for saving three lives, three worlds, ”says Artūras Bagotyrius, Director of the SAM National Transplant Office.

For all recipients waiting for a liver donor, each call makes them lose, or perhaps someone’s loved ones are determined and can live. After all, until recently, even in Lithuania, liver transplants were viewed with great caution. Then, in patients for whom transplantation is often the most effective treatment or the only hope for survival, doctors can only make a diagnosis of an incurable disease. Today, this extremely complex and important work of the medical team of each chain is already saving the lives of many recipients. It is true that liver transplants for children are still performed abroad.

It is important that the liver transplant time, from when the donor organ is taken to its implantation, is as short as possible (preferably 4-6 hours), which is why every minute is very expensive for a highly professional team of doctors. . Currently 89 recipients are awaiting liver transplants, including 13 children. And while child donor cases are rare, hopes are high.

Kidney transplants are currently waiting for 118 recipients, including 3 children. Today, a child will have the opportunity to improve their quality of life and not depend on dialysis. The second kidney from the donor will be implanted in the adult recipient.

On average, Lithuania has 3 cases of donor children (under 16 years of age) per year. 2020 – 3 cases of donor children, 2019. – 2 cases of donor children. However, the number of recipients waiting for an organ transplant, especially children, is several times greater than the number of transplants performed.

The donated donor organ is selected for the recipient according to certain criteria: severity of the disease, blood tests, compatibility of the height and weight of the donor and recipient, other medical parameters. Therefore, children’s bodies often receive better organs from the donor child. Currently, 20 children await organ or tissue transplants in Lithuania.

Anyone who has reached the age of majority can donate organs and tissues for transplantation after death. This can be done by completing the consent online at https://ntb.lt, at all medical institutions and at “Eurovaistinė” pharmacies.