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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Adult and late adolescent complications of pediatric solid organ transplantation
Connor J Byeman1, Lyndsay A Harshman2, Rachel M Engen3
1University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa, Iowa, USA.
Insights
Pediatric solid organ transplant survivors face long-term health risks and psychosocial challenges. Improved care requires a focus on lifelong well-being and collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Pediatric Medicine
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Over 51,000 pediatric solid organ transplants performed in the U.S. since 1988.
- Growing population of long-term survivors managing childhood organ failure and immunosuppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Educational review of existing literature on pediatric solid organ transplant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
- Analysis of long-term health complications and psychosocial adjustment.
Main Results:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease, skin cancers, and growth problems.
- Survivors face neurocognitive deficits, mental health issues, and discrimination, impacting social and professional life.
- Severity of impact varies by organ type.
Conclusions:
- Transplant centers must prioritize long-term well-being beyond initial recovery.
- Enhanced collaboration between pediatric and adult transplant specialists is crucial for managing long-term complications.
Background:
There have been over 51 000 pediatric solid organ transplants since 1988 in the United States alone, leading to a growing population of long-term survivors who face complications of childhood organ failure and long-term immunosuppression.
Aims:
This is an educational review of existing literature.
Results:
Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for risk for cardiovascular and kidney disease, skin cancers, and growth problems, though the severity of impact may vary by organ type. Pediatric recipients often are able to complete schooling, maintain a job, and form family and social networks in adulthood, though at somewhat lower rates than the general population, but face additional challenges related to neurocognitive deficits, mental health disorders, and discrimination.
Conclusions:
Transplant centers and research programs should expand their focus to include long-term well-being. Increased collaboration between pediatric and adult transplant specialists will be necessary to better understand and manage long-term complications.
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