Results of renal transplantation in low-weight children

Purpose Recipient age and weight are considered as risk factors for graft failure. The objective of this study is to review the characteristics and results of cadaveric donor renal transplants (CDRTs) in children weighing less than 12 Kg. Material and Methods 8 CDRTs were performed in 7 children weighing less than 12 Kg (3 males and 4 females) between 1990 and 2005. Grafts were placed extraperitoneally, in the iliac fossa, in all patients, and intravascular volume was expanded during the perioperative period. Renal function was assessed using the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), obtained using the Schwartz formula, and graft survival curve was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Primary pathology of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD), donor age and cold isquemia were analized. Results There was a 100% survival rate for patients in the sample. Graft survival rate was 87.5% at 1 year, dropping to 75% at 5 years. Six children still had a functioning graft after a mean follow-up time of 5.5 years. Conclusions Renal Transplantation (RT) may be performed with satisfactory results for the patient as well as the graft, in children weighing less than 12 Kg.