[The use of juvenile kidneys for transplantation in adults]

In view of the shortage of cadaveric donors a retrospective study has been performed to determine the results of transplantation of paediatric cadaver donor kidneys into adult recipients. Graft- and patient survival and renal function in the 31 cases, analysed in this study, showed no adverse effect of the use of pediatric donor kidneys. No vascular complications were encountered. In only one case ureteric leakage occurred and was treated successfully. It is concluded that paediatric age is no criterion for donor exclusion and that paediatric donors are to be regarded as a valuable source of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation. Also the possibility to perform nephrectomies in anencephalic newborn infants is to be considered.