Transplantation of pediatric cadaver kidneys into adult recipients

Between July 1987 and July 1993, 762 renal allografts were transplanted into adult recipients at our institution. A total of 83 adults received cadaveric renal transplants from donors aged 5 months to 10 years, while 100 adults who received adult cadaver kidneys during the same period served as a comparison group. Cyclosporine based immunosuppression was used. No difference between the 2 groups was found with respect to recipient age, recipient sex, primary renal disease, HLA matching or the number of recipients with a previous transplant. Actual patient (graft) survivals at 1 and 3 years were 91% (77%) and 86% (68%), respectively, for recipients of pediatric kidneys compared to 99% (92%) and 90% (80%), respectively, for recipients of adult kidneys. Pediatric kidney recipients were more likely to encounter renovascular complications (13% versus 4%, p = 0.023) and more likely to have episodes of acute rejection (p = 0.018). Serum creatinine was equal in the 2 groups at 1 year following transplantation (p = 0.63).