Pediatric kidney transplant

At UF Health, our multidisciplinary team approach is equipped to handle kidney transplantation procedures for pediatric patients.

Experience can make all the difference when your child or loved one is in need of a kidney transplant. If your child or loved one has a condition like posterior ureteral valves, obstructive uropathy, polycystic kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or hemolytic uremic syndrome, the experts at University of Florida Health Shands Transplant Center provide hope and life-saving care.

With our multidisciplinary approach to care, several team members with complementary skills work together to provide your child or loved one with the best care possible. While other centers may follow a kidney transplant patient for several months after surgery, at UF Health, we like to continue to work with your home physicians and follow you for life.

Pediatric kidney transplant services

Our pediatric kidney transplant team delivers a customized approach to your child or loved one’s care. We work together to examine thoroughly each patient, and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your child or loved one’s needs.

The UF Health Shands team will follow your child or loved one closely as they await transplant and after their transplant, which helps improve patient outcomes. While waiting for an organ, your child or loved one will receive a thorough yearly examination with some updated testing. This is because kidneys can become available at any moment, day or night, and they need to be physically ready for surgery at short notice.

Pediatric kidney transplant surgery

During surgery, the donated kidney will be attached to the blood vessels in the lower part of the abdomen. Your child or loved one’s surgeon will also attach the ureter (tube that drains the urine from the kidney) to your bladder.

Your child or loved one can expect to be in the hospital for several days to a week following a pediatric kidney transplant if all goes well with you, and the donated kidney is starting to function. Your child or loved one will take anti-rejection medications to lessen the risk of rejection and so that their donated kidney is more likely to function properly. Your child or loved one will focus on recovery and learning about their new organ. Daily labs, urine production and daily weights are monitored to assist the team with adjusting their new transplant medications.

Our outcomes

Our multidisciplinary team approach, experience, expertise, and ongoing commitment to innovation and compassionate care have set the standard of care for children with end-stage kidney failure achieving excellent long-term survival rates. In a January 2020 report, The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients has measured the percentage of patients who have survived transplant for one month, one year and three years. At our center, of the 22 patients transplanted between July 1, 2016 and Dec. 30, 2018, 100% survived one month, and 100% survived one year. Of the 32 patients transplanted between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016, 84.38% survived three years. We exceed the expected survival rates and the national survival rates in each category.

Questions, appointments and consultations

Our team is available to answer your questions and provide more information about our pediatric kidney transplant program. Additional education materials will be provided at transplant evaluation.

UF Health Shands Transplant Center Pediatric Abdominal Transplant
1600 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32610
Telephone: (352) 646-3172
Fax: (352) 265-0154