Solid-Organ Transplants Make Children Vulnerable to Kidney Diseases

Children undergoing a solid-organ transplant have increased chances of developing advanced kidney disease, a latest study by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania states.

The study found that risk of developing the disease was highest among the children undergoing lung or intestinal transplant.

Researchers analysed records of 16, 600 patients who received solid-organ transplants between 1990 and 2010. They were tracked for an average of 6.2 years.

"We found that the risk patterns for kidney disease are different among patients who receive solid-organ transplants as children, compared to adult transplant recipients," said pediatric nephrologist Rebecca L. Ruebner, M.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in a press release. "Because chronic and end-stage kidney disease carry high burdens of mortality and serious illness, it is important to take preventive measures to slow or prevent disease progression."

The results showed that three percent of children receiving solid-organ transplants showed greater risk of developing end-stage kidney disease (EKSD). Lowest risk of EKSD was found among children undergoing liver transplants.

Further, the researchers noted that adults receiving liver transplants were at a higher risk of developing the disease and lung transplants recipients had lowest chances. It also found that both, children and adults, undergoing intestinal transplant had similar risk of ESKD.

"Although the overall incidence of end-stage kidney disease was only 3 percent, the broader burden of chronic kidney disease is much higher in this population of pediatric transplant recipients," Ruebner said. "Children with chronic kidney disease experience a steady decline in kidney function, so we recommend that pediatric healthcare providers carefully follow post-transplant patients to detect any early signs of kidney problems, with early referral, if necessary, to a pediatric nephrologist."