Transplanting pediatric deceased-donor kidneys into adult recipients: an Iranian experience

This study sought to evaluate graft outcome of kidneys from deceased-donor pediatric donors in adult recipients, and compare it with outcomes of kidney transplants from adult donors.

This historical cohort study involved 2 groups. Group 1 included 23 first kidney adult recipients who received their first renal transplant from pediatric deceased-donor donors. Group 2 consisted of 33 first renal transplant adult recipients with kidneys coming from adult deceased donors. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate graft survival and patient survival curves. The log-rank test was done to compare differences between survival outcomes.

Graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 96% and 85% in group 1, and 91% and 85% in group 2. No significant difference existed in graft survival rates between the groups. Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years in group 1 were 94% and 94% compared with 91% and 91% for group 2. No significant difference existed in graft survival rates between the groups.

This study demonstrates that with our experience, improvement in surgical technique and immunosuppressive therapy, pediatric deceased-donor kidneys may be considered as an alternate option for adult recipients. Renal transplants from pediatric donors into adult recipients is associated with good graft and patient survival outcomes.