Each child has a right to live as any other living being. Kidney failure cannot be considered as a blockade to achieve this. Current medical advancements have made this possible and each child can be offered with same.
As per Human Organ Transplant act, only blood relatives can donate the organs to their loved ones after adequate medical and Government approved legal clearance.
The most common Q&A regarding the transplants in kids are as follows:
Is kidney donation possible from an adult to kid?
Yes, it is possible. Any child more than 2 years of age and more than 10 kg can receive kidney transplant from adults successfully.
What are the reasons for kidney transplant in children?
Kidney transplant is medically recommended in any child who has CKD stage 5 as there are risks of life threatening complications at this advanced stage of disease. If any child is on dialysis, it is recommended to conduct transplantation as this gives a better life compared to being on dialysis.
What are the surgical and medical challenges?
Considering the size and vessel mismatch, it is always challenging. With current advanced surgical and medical practices, it is a successful reality. Following are the Medical challenges after transplant - Acute Rejection, Infections and Sepsis, Delayed Graft function, Graft loss, New onset Diabetes after transplant, Thrombotic Microangiopathy. Rare Surgical issues post transplant are: venous thrombosis, anastomotic leaks, wound infection.
What is the composition of team for Transplant?
The team is led by Paediatric Nephrologist and includes Transplant Surgeon, Paediatric anaesthetist , Paediatric Transplant nurse, Paediatric Nutritionist and Paediatric Radiologist.
What is timeline and process of evaluation before transplant?
The evaluation involves medical fitness and legal clearances. The medical process involves detailed medical evaluation of the donor and recipient to consider them fit for transplant. This includes series of blood tests, Scans , genetic tests and pre transplant antibody testing to asses the fitness. The legal clearance is mandatory before transplant which is done in accordance with Human Organ transplant Act. This requires legal and police clearances followed by final permission from State Competent Authority on Kidney transplant. All these processes usually take 2-4 weeks and are facilitated by Transplant coordinator.
How is the life after transplant for the kid?
The life comes back on track after uneventful transplant within 1-2 months. Children who were confined to dialysis and bed usually start to play and enjoy. They start to go back to schools and playgrounds with no physical issues.
Is it mandatory for children to take some medications after transplant and have to be in follow up?
Yes, it is mandatory for children to take anti-rejections medications for life time to ensure adequate functional life of transplanted kidneys. Gradually the doses of medications are reduced in future. Regular follow ups with Pediatric Nephrologist are mandatory to monitor the renal functions, infections, hypertension.
Is it mandatory for children to take some medications after transplant and have to be in follow up?
Yes, it is mandatory for children to take anti-rejections medications for life time to ensure adequate functional life of transplanted kidneys. Gradually the doses of medications are reduced in future. Regular follow ups with Pediatric Nephrologist are mandatory to monitor the renal functions, infections, hypertension.
How is the scenario of kidney diseases in Karnataka and India?
There is lack of awareness among general population and medical community both. Even many Paediatricians are not aware of possibility of transplants among small kids. Participation of media is very important to spread the right information to community. Lot can be done to improve scenario and appropriate referrals to right team is the first step.