However, this proposal has been criticized on the basis that confirming neocortical death by PET scan may risk indeterminacy. Pregnancy termination
Anencephaly can be diagnosed before delivery with a high degree of accuracy. Although anencephaly is a fatal condition, the option of abortion is dependent on the abortion laws in the state. According to a 2013 report, 26% of the worlds population reside in a country where abortion is generally prohibited. In 2012, Brazil extended the right of abortion to mothers with anencephalic fetuses. This decision is, however, receiving much disapproval by several religious groups. Legal proceedings
The case of baby Theresa was the beginning of the ethical debate over anencephalic infant organ donation. The story of baby Theresa remains a focus of basic moral philosophy. Baby Theresa was born with anencephaly in 1992. Her parents, knowing that their child was going to die, requested that her organs be given for transplantation. Although her physicians agreed, Florida law prohibited the infants organs from being removed while she was still alive. By the time she died nine days after birth, her organs had deteriorated past the point of being viable. United States uniform acts
The Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) is a model bill, adopted by many US states, stating that an individual who has sustained either 1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions or 2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, is dead.
Fetal-maternal haemorrhage is the loss of fetal blood cells into the maternal circulation. It takes place in normal pregnancies as well as when there are obstetric or trauma related complications to pregnancy. Normally the maternal circulation and the fetal circulation are kept from direct contact with each other, with gas and nutrient exchange taking place across a membrane in the placenta made of two layers, the syncytiotrophoblast and the cytotrophoblast. Fetal-maternal haemorrhage occurs when this membrane ceases to function as a barrier and fetal cells may come in contact with and enter the maternal vessels in the decidua/endometrium. Description
Normal pregnancy
It is estimated that less than 1ml of fetal blood is lost to the maternal circulation during normal labour in around 96% of normal deliveries. The loss of this small amount of blood may however be a sensitising event and stimulate antibody production to the foetal red blood cells, an example of which is Rhesus disease of the newborn. Abnormal pregnancy
Causes of increased foetal-maternal haemorrhage are seen as a result of trauma, placental abruption or may be spontaneous with no cause found. Up to 30ml of foetal-maternal transfusion may take place with no significant signs or symptoms seen in either mother or foetus. Loss in excess of this may result in significant morbidity and mortality to the fetus. Fetal-maternal haemorrhage is one cause of intrauterine death (IUD). Diagnosis
The Kleihauer–Betke test is a blood test used to measure the amount of foetal hemoglobin transferred from a foetus to its mothers bloodstream.