Improving survival in the very young renal transplant recipient

Sixty-one patients ranging in age from 6 weeks to 30 months have undergone renal transplantation over a 19-year period. The overall survival is 80% with a 90% survival in those patients transplanted since 1980 (41 patients). Seventy-five percent of the original allografts have survived with 83% of the last 41 allografts surviving. The unique challenges presented by the very young renal transplant recipient are outlined along with those aspects of management felt to be most important in ensuring a successful outcome.