Is brain death diagnosis in newborns feasible?

Brain death as the irreversible and permanent loss of cerebral and brainstem function, is relatively uncommon among newborns who need life support. It is considered the result of an acute and irreversible central nervous system insult. Asphyxia, severe intracranial hemorrhage and infection are the most common causes of brain death in children. BD diagnosis is usually based on clinical criteria. Because of major differences of brain function in this age group, brain death should be established with extreme caution. Comparative to adults' longer observational periods (at least 24 hours apart) and specific neurodiagnostic tests, by at least two expert physicians, are needed to ascertain an irreversible loss of brain function. The objective of this article is to present current guidelines for BD determination in newborns and to refer their application in Greece.