Criticism of the definition of brain death | Brain death

Criticism of the definition of brain death

Particularly after the Erlangen case of Marion P., criticism of the definition of brain death became loud. Marion P. was admitted to Erlangen University Hospital on October 5, 1992 with severe craniocerebral injuries. Three days later the patient was diagnosed with brain death.

Since the patient was pregnant, it was decided to continue intensive medical treatment until the child was born. After five weeks, however, the brain-dead patient developed a fever and subsequently miscarried. Due to this case, the definition of brain death is particularly criticized, since an already dead patient could neither develop a fever nor miscarry.

This means that despite a lack of brain activity, various other systems (spinal cord, organs) may still be active. Various other scientists also hold critical opinions on the definition of brain death.