Pediatric kidney transplantation

Ron Shapiro1, Minnie M Sarwal

  • 1Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. shapiror@upmc.edu

Insights

Pediatric kidney transplantation is highly successful, with excellent patient and graft survival rates. Advances in care, surgical techniques, and immunosuppression contribute to these positive outcomes for children needing kidney transplants.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Transplant Immunology

Background:

  • Kidney transplantation is a standard treatment for pediatric end-stage renal disease.
  • Historical advancements have significantly improved pediatric transplant success rates.

Observation:

  • 1-year patient survival is 98%, 5-year is 94%.
  • 1-year graft survival ranges from 93% to 95%, 5-year from 77% to 85%.
  • Outcomes vary based on donor type (living vs. deceased).

Findings:

  • Improved pre- and post-transplant care are crucial.
  • Surgical techniques, immunosuppression, and infection management enhance outcomes.
  • Comprehensive evaluation of recipients and donors is essential.

Implications:

  • Pediatric kidney transplantation offers a high probability of long-term success.
  • Continuous improvement in medical and surgical care is vital for sustained outcomes.
  • Understanding risk factors for graft dysfunction aids in optimizing patient management.

Related Concept Videos

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management01:16

Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management

Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.