Question

After a series of ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests, it is discovered that the child a woman is carrying has anencephaly. Because of religious reasons, she did not have an abortion. She is in active labor and asks that if the child is born alive, that the child be resuscitated for possible organ donation. But her husband and the child’s father disagrees and does not want resuscitative measures performed. What should you do?

Answer 1

Answer: Anencephaly is a kind of neural tube defect as it is a condition that is present at birth. It affects the brain and skull bones. There is also no bone on the back of the head, and the brain is not fully formed. It often lacks part or all of the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the area of the brain used for thinking, seeing, hearing, touch, and movement. If the child takes birth alive then also anencephaly most often leads to death in days or weeks. So, delivering the child alive is not a problem. But a mother has rights to take the decision and as the child himself won't able to live with this disease for many days, resuscitated for possible organ donation can be performed as maybe this will help to the other person, and he/ she may get a life.