Anencephalics as organ donors.

Anencephalics can be divided into a large group without a functional hypothalamohypophysial system and a smaller group with a functional hypothalamohypophysial system. Anencephalics of the first group do not live more than a few hours, whereas the anencephalics of the second group can live up to 3 days. Those with a functional hypothalamohypophysial system have shown pain reaction. In anencephalics without a functional hypothalamohypophysial system, the endocrine pancreas does not reach full maturation and the use of these glands for islet transplantation can be questioned.