Overview

Overview

Cleveland Clinic is one of the world leaders in kidney disease treatment and kidney transplant. Many of the minimally invasive procedures being introduced in hospitals around the world were pioneered by surgeons at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. 

The transplant team includes transplant surgeons, pediatric nephrologists, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, family counselors, dietitians, child life, pharmacists and others, all of whom have specialized training in caring for children with kidney disease to help restore health and wellness in our patients
What We Treat

What We Treat

There are a variety of reasons that children may need a kidney transplant. Kidney transplantation is an option when a person’s kidneys no longer function on a permanent basis. This loss of function leads to the need for long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain their life.

Pediatric patients from around the world rely on us for the care and treatment of renal diseases and other kidney conditions such as:

  • Acute kidney injury.
  • Chronic kidney disease.
  • Congenital renal malformations.
  • Electrolyte problems.
  • Glomerular diseases.
  • Growth failure in children with kidney disease.
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome in children.
  • Hypertension- high blood pressure.
  • Kidney cysts.
  • Kidney disease in solid organ transplantation.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Nephrotic syndrome.
  • Pediatric urinary incontinence.
  • Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.
  • Polycystic kidney disease.
  • Renal failure.
  • Renal tubular disorders.
  • Renovascular hypertension.
  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Voiding dysfunction in children.
What to Expect

What to Expect

When you visit Cleveland Clinic Children’s Pediatric Nephrology Department for the first time, the nephrologist, along with our multidisciplinary team, will assess the status of the child’s general condition and kidney disease. After a thorough evaluation, we will provide you with all treatment options including kidney transplantation. After the initial evaluation, patients will be scheduled to see the rest of the transplant team to assess their transplant candidacy.

The evaluation will consist of:

  • Medical evaluation.
  • Nutritional evaluation.
  • Surgical evaluation.
  • Psychosocial evaluation.
  • Transplant education.
  • Financial evaluation.
  • Lab work.
  • Additional testing and consults may be needed, based on nephrologist’s evaluation.

Once the evaluation is complete, the patient’s chart will be reviewed and the patient’s case will be presented at the selection committee. The selection committee may approve the patient for listing, require additional information prior to making a decision, or determine that the patient is not a candidate for transplantation. The patient, referring physician, and dialysis unit (if applicable) will receive letters notifying of the committee’s decision.

Once a patient has been approved for transplant listing, insurance authorization will be obtained if needed prior to being placed on the national transplant waiting list.

What happens before a pediatric kidney transplant?

Up to 40 percent of kidney donations come from living donors. Parents, siblings or other willing family members could be tested to see if they may be a viable match for kidney donation. But, surprisingly, only 60 percent of patients who having living kidney donors are related to the donors.

What happens after a pediatric kidney transplant?

After a kidney transplant, the patient will spend several days to a week in the hospital while being monitored for post-transplant complications and treated for post-surgical pain. The child will be encouraged to walk soon after surgery as it encourages blood flow and the healing process.

Our Team

Our Team

Appointments

Appointments

Learn more about pediatric transplant or schedule a consultation.

Jane Kuzniar, Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Resources

Resources

A variety of websites and articles offer additional information on the subject of transplantation and on procedures and organ donation.

Resources for transplantation

Resources for kidney transplantation