Renal transplantation in pre-school children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Transplantation Surgery
• Pediatric Urology

Background:

• Congenital kidney malformations are a leading cause of end-stage renal disease in children.
• Early renal transplantation is a critical treatment option for affected pediatric patients.
• Management of very young children undergoing transplantation presents unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of renal transplantation in children under 5 years of age.
• To assess graft survival rates and patient survival in this cohort.
• To determine the feasibility of transplantation for congenital kidney malformations in infants and toddlers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 13 renal transplant cases in 11 children under 5 years old.
• Data collection on patient survival, graft function, and complications.
• Follow-up assessment of graft survival at 5 years post-transplantation.

Main Results:

• Nine out of 11 (82%) recipients are alive post-transplantation.
• Two children experienced mortality despite having functioning grafts.
• Approximately 50% of kidney grafts demonstrated functionality at the 5-year mark.
• Successful transplantation was achieved in children with congenital kidney malformations.

Conclusions:

• Renal transplantation is a viable and successful treatment for children under 5 with congenital kidney malformations.
• The study highlights the potential for long-term graft survival in this young population.
• Despite challenges, pediatric renal transplantation offers a significant improvement in quality of life and survival for infants and toddlers with kidney failure.