Cadaveric renal transplantation from a non-heart-beating pediatric donor into adult recipients

INTRODUCTION: The use of cadaveric pediatric kidneys has been suggested as a means to overcome organ shortage, but is debated because of technical complications and an increased incidence of functional allograft impairment. METHODS: We experienced 2 cases of cadaveric renal transplantation from a non-heart-beating pediatric donor. RESULTS: In our cases, transplanted kidneys achieved good graft function and proteinuria due to glomerulosclerosis was not recognized. CONCLUSION: Previous reports indicate that in transplantation from pediatric donors into adults recipients, glomerular sclerosis occurs as the reason for impairment of grafts. Further, cadaveric renal transplantation from a non-heart-beating donor has a warm ischemia time and an increased risk of hyperfiltrated injury and graft failure. If transplantation of pediatric kidneys into adults from a non-heart-beating donor is performed, BMI and BSA must be carefully considered in the selection of recipients in order to avoid imbalance between nephron supply and metabolic demands and to insure successful, healthy grafts.