Kidney Matters - Issue 14 - 2021

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18Children waiting for a transplantThere are currently more than 200young patients and their families waitingfor ‘the call’ that will offer them thechance of a much-improved quality oflife with a functioning transplant.Most children who need a transplant are waiting fora kidney transplant (around 110 children in total)followed by a heart (around 40 patients) and thoseneeding liver transplants (around 30). Other childrenare also waiting for lung, intestinal and multi-organtransplants.The general public, including people with kidneydisease, are being encouraged to talk about organdonation, and for all members of the family includingchildren, and share their decisions to help save morelives. Currently, the number of young organ donorsremains static at around 50 a year. Parents that areasked about organ donation are less likely to donatetheir child’s organs. Only 55% of families supporteddonation for a relative aged under 18 in 2019/20. Thiscompares to an average of 68% families agreeingoverall in that year.“Transplants are life-saving andlife-transforming and the impact isfelt throughout the patient’s family,friends and wider circle.“Waiting for a transplant can seem like being in limbo,existing and not living. Imagine what it is like when itis a child that is in need of the transplant, not able todo what other children can, simple things like beingable to play and eat normally. They are unable toenjoy usual childhood milestones as they should—school, special occasions and day outs—and can berestricted by treatment like dialysis and held backdevelopmentally. Their parents, family and friendsprovide amazing love, support and care but can’tultimately give them (in most cases) what they need,an organ transplant.Where living donation is possible (usually kidneydonation and more rarely liver donation) parents canbe tested. If they can donate, it is an amazing gift fortheir child. But lots of children do not have a suitableliving donor, so are relying on a deceased organ donor;and for some types of organ transplant, like hearts,only a deceased organ donor is possible.Organs for children are matched in the same wayas for adults, using blood groups and tissue types.However, size is important for some organs; forexample, heart and lungs where there is limitedspace in the chest. The best match often comesfrom someone with the same ethnicity and thisgives the best transplant outcome. The number oforgan donors from Black and Asian backgroundsis increasing, but more donors are needed to helppatients on the waiting list. There is a continuedimbalance between the need for transplants in Blackand Asian communities and the availability of suitableorgans with the right blood and tissue type.Waiting times vary for children. The average waitingtime for a kidney transplant is around 10 monthsfor a child, but is approaching two years for anadult. However, children waiting for an urgent hearttransplant face waiting two and a half times longerthan adults: 77 days rather than 32 days.Transplants are life-saving and life-transforming, andthe impact is felt throughout the patient’s family,friends and wider circle. They are not without risks andrequire medication for life, but transplants give peoplea second chance. And when that patient is a child, whohasn’t experienced life yet, it is all the more powerful.In 2019/20, 230 children received an organ transplantin the UK, 112 having a kidney transplant – 70 fromliving donors and 42 from deceased donors. Sadlyin 2019/20, 18 children died waiting for a transplant;none needed a kidney and the majority were waitingfor a heart or liver.It is vital that all families talk about organ donation,and for everyone in the family, as children can alsosave lives and hundreds of other children who needa transplant. Please have the conversation today andshare your decision.Article by Angie ScalesLead Paediatric Nurse, NHSBlood and Transplantwww.kidneycareuk.org
September 10 th - 19 th 2021 via ZoomJoin us for 10 days of virtual activities,performances and workshops hostedby the Young Adult Kidney Group inpartnership with Kidney Care UK.Our group offers mutual peer support,friendship and fun for people aged18 - 30 who have kidney disease.Join our group on Facebook“Young Adult Kidney Group”, orfollow us on Instagram & Twitter.Visit our website for furtherinformation and joining instructionswww.yakg.co.uk
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Kidney Matters - Issue 14 - 2021

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