The potential for tolerance in pediatric renal transplantation

Pediatric transplantation and tolerance: past, present, and future

Solid organ transplantation is the treatment of choice in children with end-stage organ failure. With improving methods of transplant surgery and post-transplant care, transplantation is more frequently performed worldwide. However, lifelong and non-specific suppression of the recipient's immune system is a cause of significant morbidity in children, including infection, diabetes, and cancer. There is a great need to develop IS minimization/withdrawal and tolerance induction approaches.

Primer on renal transplantation

Renal transplantation transforms chronically ill children with end stage renal disease (ESRD) into near normal resulting in improvement in nutrition, growth, neurodevelopment and quality of life, and is the goal of therapy. However, the benefits of transplantation come at a price of life-long treatment with immunosuppressive medications, increased risk of infections and malignancy. Children younger than 10 y of age have the best, and adolescents have the worst 5-y graft survival likely due to non-adherence with medications in the adolescents. Long-term complications include ongoing issues related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality contributing to graft loss and shortened life expectancy, thus limiting the success of organ transplantation. Therefore, appropriate management of CKD and cardiovascular issues should be integral to the care of pediatric transplant patients. The other ongoing challenges include organ shortage, prevention and treatment of late acute rejections and chronic graft dysfunction, discovering reliable noninvasive immune monitoring tools, improving adherence, psychosocial rehabilitation, and the elusive goal of tolerance.

Psychiatric issues in pediatric organ transplantation

Solid organ transplantation has become the first line of treatment for a growing number of life-threatening pediatric illnesses. With improved survival, research into the long-term outcome of transplant recipients has become important to clinicians. Adherence to medical instructions remains a challenge, particularly in the adolescent population. New immunosuppressant approaches promise to expand organ transplantation in additional directions. Extension of transplantation into replacement of organs such as faces and hands raises complex ethical issues.

Psychiatric issues in pediatric organ transplantation

Solid organ transplantation has become the first line of treatment for a growing number of life-threatening pediatric illnesses. With improved survival, research into the long-term outcome of transplant recipients has become important to clinicians. Adherence to medical instructions remains a challenge, particularly in the adolescent population. New immunosuppressant approaches promise to expand organ transplantation in additional directions. Extension of transplantation into replacement of organs such as faces and hands raises complex ethical issues.