90% of Pak teenage activist Malala's brain 'still intact' while 10% 'damaged'

Ninety percent of Malala Yousufzai's brain is still intact while ten percent of it may have been damaged due to continued unconsciousness, an official has said

According to a top official at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) continued unconsciousness could impact her brain functioning, if it prolonged

"Time factor is very crucial at this stage. It's very important that she recovers her senses within the next 48 hours. Prolonged unconsciousness damages myelin covering which is a vital shield in the brain for its protection. It also causes exhaustion in the body organs and gradually hampers their functioning," The Nation quoted the official, as saying

The official said that clinical assessment suggests that 90% of Malala's brain is working properly.

"The head injury may have caused the brain damage up to 10% or even less which could be ascertained in the next couple of days considering the patient's condition following clinical examination," he added

Malala, who earned international fame for raising voice against Taliban oppression, was shot in the neck and head and two other girls sustained injuries when the Tehrik-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) opened fire on their school van in Swat valley last week

Earlier, military spokesperson Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said that Malala was on the ventilator, but her health condition showed improvement, and 'she is out of danger.'