[Organ transplantation in children]

Over a period of close to 30 years, children in Norway with organ failure have been offered the option of a transplanted organ. Kidney transplantations have been performed since 1971, heart and liver transplantations since 1983, when ciclosporin was introduced. We present a review of somatic aspects on kidney transplantation in children, with special emphasis on 136 renal transplantations in 107 Norwegian children, eight of whom have died. Organ transplantation has a major psychosocial impact on the child and the child's family. A review of the psychosocial aspects of organ transplantation is given.