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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Infectious complications in paediatric kidney transplantation: prevention and management
Andrew N G Macdonald1, Liam J Reilly2, Douglas J Stewart3
1Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Hospital for Children, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK.
Insights
Kidney transplant infections are a major risk for children, who lack immunity to common pathogens like CMV and EBV. This review covers key infections, prevention strategies, and treatments for pediatric kidney transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infections pose significant risks for morbidity, mortality, and graft loss in kidney transplant recipients.
- Pediatric kidney transplant recipients often have immunological naivety, increasing susceptibility to pathogens like Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of major pathogens causing infections in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.
- To discuss current strategies for infection prophylaxis, treatment, and lifestyle modifications to mitigate risks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies and clinical guidelines.
- Synthesis of information on common pathogens, their transmission, and clinical impact.
- Analysis of preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- Identified key pathogens including CMV, EBV, BK virus, and bacterial infections.
- Highlighted the importance of donor screening and recipient monitoring.
- Discussed the role of antiviral prophylaxis and prompt treatment.
Conclusions:
- Meticulous donor screening, proactive management, and timely treatment are crucial for reducing infection-related complications in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.
- Implementing tailored prophylaxis and lifestyle modifications can significantly improve outcomes.
Abstract:
Infections after kidney transplantation are a principal cause of morbidity, allograft failure and mortality. Paediatric recipients are less likely to have immunity through prior exposure to pathogens linked to graft failure such as CMV and EBV. This immunological naivety results in a need for meticulous donor screening, the deployment of strategies to minimise the risk of severe disease, and prompt treatment once infection is diagnosed. This review provides an up-to-date overview of major pathogens contributing to infection in paediatric kidney transplant recipients and we discuss prophylaxis, treatment and lifestyle modifications that can be employed to mitigate infection risk.
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