Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Reversal of HHS policy has Positive Outcome

 

Dying child was on life support when new lungs became available

Ten-year-old Sarah Murnaghan, who has cystic fibrosis, is receiving a lung transplant, at this moment.

The previous policy regarding the prohibition of children less than 12 years old with cystic fibrosis  receiving an adult lung transplant was reversed several weeks ago by the Dept of HHS in response to a public outcry  regarding the policy.  The policy was the result of obsolete statistics regarding survival statistics of children with the fatal genetic disease, cystic fibrosis which affect the lungs.  Previously adult lungs were also avoided due to size discrepancy between adult lungs and those of children.  The availability of adult lungs is much greater than children.

HHS Secretary Sibelius approves recommendations for lung transplant in child.

 

The criteria for lung transplantation in children with cystic fibrosis has been expanded .

 

 

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