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Pediatric to Adult Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults with Kidney Transplant

  • Adolescent Medicine (MA Goldstein, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pediatrics Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Adolescents and young adults with kidney transplant must graduate to adult care. Transition is a natural process; planned transition in this vulnerable population increases the probability of success. We describe the process, barriers to successful transition, and literature review on transition in children with kidney transplant.

Recent Findings

Many guidelines for a successful transition process exist in this population. Successful transition requires a committed multidisciplinary team. Each institute and subspecialty have their own workflow for this process. Definition and components of optimal transition programs, their effectiveness, and costs need be better defined.

Summary

Because of the advancement in medical care, more children with chronic kidney disease are surviving into adulthood. Unplanned transition is risky in this otherwise vulnerable period of life. Non-adherence, lost to follow-up leads to graft loss, adds extra financial burden to healthcare, and in fact carries a real risk of worsening co-morbidities and even mortality. Despite guidelines and infrastructure, the research data on success of transition process in children with kidney transplant is not robust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ashley A. Sharma

  2. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, USA

    Amita Sharma

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Amita Sharma

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  1. Ashley A. Sharma
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Correspondence to Amita Sharma.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Adolescent Medicine.

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Sharma, A.A., Sharma, A. Pediatric to Adult Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults with Kidney Transplant. Curr Pediatr Rep 10, 155–163 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-022-00266-z

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