Kennisdossier
Knowledge dossier: Child as donor
Information for professionals about organ donation in children. View the protocol, read background information, and see experiences from professionals.
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Donation of organs and tissues by a child is an extremely sensitive and complex subject. When a child is identified as a potential donor, the 'Child as donor' protocol is a tool that provides guidance to medical professionals throughout the entire process.
In many respects, donation in a child is similar to donation in adults. However, there are important differences. For example, the wishes of children regarding donation are often unknown. Children aged 12 and older can have their choice registered in the Donor Register.
Child as donor protocol
Are you dealing with a potential donor who is under 18 years old? Then consult the 'Child as donor' protocol. This offers good guidance for the conversation with the parents.
About the origin of the protocol
There is a need for a separate protocol for donation in children, Marion Siebelink observed several years ago during her doctoral research. She took the initiative for the 'Child as donor' protocol and explains how this protocol is used in practice.
Figures
children die every year in the pediatric intensive care unit
of those children are eligible to donate organs
at that age, a child can register in the Donor Register
More about Child as donor
Practical experiences
Organ donation coordinator Nikki Duijst talks about her experience when she dealt with a donation involving a child.
Podcast: child as an organ donor
In the podcast 'Recht uit het hart' (Straight from the heart), Shaline Katerberg talks about her experiences guiding a donation procedure for a child under 18.
