Run-over Chinese kid close to brain dead

Run-over Chinese kid close to brain dead

Yue Yue, the two-year-old toddler who was rolled over by two vehicles in Foshan, Guangdong province in China - and left to bleed on the road last Thursday - remained close to brain dead as donations poured in for her and her rescuer.

"Her situation somewhat meets the standard of brain death," said Dr Wang Weimin of the General Hospital of the Guangzhou Military Command of the People's Liberation Army.

"We can say she is close to brain dead, but her pain reflex is very sensitive, which is the only feature not matching brain death," Dr Wang added.

Yue Yue still relies on machines for maintaining blood pressure and respiration.

Tests on Monday found severe damage in the functions of her brainstem and cerebral cortex.

There are a lot of possibilities in the development of her situation and she remains in critical condition, said Su Lei, director of the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Source: China Daily/ANN
Published Oct 21 2011