Renal transplantation in the infant and young child

A. Kalia, B. H. Brouhard, L. B. Travis, R. R. Gifford and O. E. Winsett
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550.

Fourteen renal transplantations were performed in 13 children, aged 5 years or younger, including three infants. The mean duration of follow-up was 68 months, with a range of 14 to 203 months. Eleven children are alive; of these, nine had prolonged graft function. Graft survival rate was 92% at one year and 73% at two and five years following surgery. Sustained catch-up growth occurred in all growth-retarded children who underwent successful transplantation. At this writing, the oldest patient is 20 years of age and a junior in college; all school-age children are functioning at the appropriate grade level, except one, who is one year behind. The youngest child is 3 years old and is developing normally. Infants and young children appear to be good candidates for renal transplantation.