It was found to be inappropriate for those with "irreversible, profound neurological impairment," among others.

A medical emergency is defined as a condition in which an immediate abortion is required because of risk of death or risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.

The Ohio law defined a narrower exception: "necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman."

The Ohio health exemption, which allows the procedure only to avoid "a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function," is "unconstitutionally narrow," he said.

The only exceptions would be to save a woman's life or to prevent "substantial and irreversible impairment of her major bodily functions."

Under circumstances of medical emergency, defined as a situation which involved immediate risk of death or "substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function", the restrictions could be overridden.

Early recognition and treatment with the antifilarial drug, diethylcarbamazine, is important, as delay before treatment may lead to progressive interstitial fibrosis and irreversible impairment.

He also aborted healthy late-term fetuses in cases where two doctors certified that carrying the fetus to term would cause the woman "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."

Kansas law prohibits abortions after the beginning of fetal viability unless two doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy would cause the woman "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."

Various types of brain injury may cause irreversible but fixed cognitive impairment.