Baby's kidney donation saves woman's life...

[user17866]

A five-week-old baby is a lifesaver after becoming Britain's youngest ever organ donor.

The infant's tiny kidneys were donated to 22-year-old Samira Kauser and transplanted during a seven-hour operation at St James's University Hospital in Leeds.

The organs were just 4cm long but will grow to up to three-quarters the size of a normal adult's.

Together with the liver, heart and lungs, a baby's kidneys are fully functioning after 37 weeks in the womb.

Ms Kauser, from Halifax, who was spending nine hours a night on dialysis after a genetic condition caused her kidneys to fail, told The Sunday Times she plans to get married next year.

"When I found out (the donor) was a child who had died, I felt so sad," she said.

"I thought about the parents and how much they wanted to donate and I knew I had to have the operation, even though I was scared."

She added: "Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to the parents of this baby.

"They have lost so much - much more than I can ever comprehend.

"Their only solace is that someone else has been able to carry on with their life. It's a massive gift."

The Sunday Times said the transplant had reignited the debate about whether organs from so-called "beating heart" babies, who are being kept alive on ventilators but are certified as brain dead, should be made available to patients on the donor waiting list.

It said a decision on the issue is expected within the next six months.

Transplant surgeon Niaz Ahmad, who led the team that carried out the transplant, told the newspaper: "There is such an acute shortage of organs that we're now prepared to do this.

"This case, I hope, shows that it can work."

Around 19.7 million people are on the NHS organ donor register.

More than 7,200 people are waiting for a transplant - 6,000 of whom need a new kidney.

Some 2,820 kidney transplants were carried out last year




..it's incredible that such a young kidney can be transplanted into an adult but also that the parent's of the baby had the thought to do it ..it's heart-warming to know there are some amazing and brave people out there when we're often just hearing the bad stuff....

[AnnieK]

It must be so bitter sweet to get a do or organ, knowing someone else had died. Also bitter sweet for the donors family when they know part of their loved one lives on

[Marc]

I keep meaning to sign myself up for organ donation

[AnnieK]

Do it marc

[arista]

So long as it can grow in the normal way
after being moved from baby to adult

[Nedusa]

Raises lots of questions about possible misuse of this situation. What if a couple decided to try for a child just to harvest its kidney(s) for the mother as it would be a certain match. What if the mother had an incurable kidney disease and would die without a transplant within a year ?

Totally unethical and immoral to conceive a child purely for its organs.. Nightmarish scenario but it could happen....!!!!

[Kizzy]

That is not what's being suggested. There's no link so can't read the full text, I would hope though the parents of the 'beating heart' have a say.

[AnnieK]

The baby whose organs were donated had died though....so in this instance it's the selfless act of a grieving family and should be applauded

[Kizzy]

It should no question, it should be their decision always is my point.
How could that ever change, or is the decision to ventilate at all in question?

[arista]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

That is not what's being suggested. There's no link so can't read the full text, I would hope though the parents of the 'beating heart' have a say.

Yes because not everyone is paying for
the Sunday Times online deal

[lostalex]

If I ever need an organ transplant i hope it is baby organs.