Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
07:13
Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Substance Use Patterns in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Candidates: Impact After Transplant
Daniel Thomson1,2, Anna Dammann3, Eric Benz1,2
1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Pediatric Transplantation
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Pediatric solid organ transplant candidates with pre-transplant substance use impairment symptoms showed higher rates of organ rejection and tacrolimus level variability. Early identification of substance use is crucial for improving post-transplant outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Transplant surgery
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Substance use in pediatric solid organ transplant candidates is understudied.
- Impact on post-transplant outcomes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of substance use in pediatric solid organ transplant candidates.
- To determine the association between pre-transplant substance use and post-transplant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS) modules assessed substance use in 55 patients (aged 12-18) evaluated for heart, liver, or kidney transplant.
- Post-transplant outcomes included serum tacrolimus variability (TW-CoV) and organ rejection.
Main Results:
- 16% of patients reported substance use pre-transplant.
- Pre-transplant substance use impairment symptoms correlated with higher tacrolimus variability (TW-CoV) and increased organ rejection within one year.
- No significant differences in adherence or rejection were found for patients who tried substances versus those who did not.
Conclusions:
- Substance use rates are low in this pediatric transplant candidate population.
- Pre-transplant substance use impairment symptoms predict adverse post-transplant outcomes, including rejection and non-adherence markers.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Kidney 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...
01:16Kidney 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...
01:26Kidney 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...
01:24Tissue Transplantation
Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
01:24Pharmacokinetics 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...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...