The Kidney Transplant Patient Experience

Max was first admitted to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin March 13, 2003 because he was dehydrated and doctors thought he might have pneumonia. His condition got worse over night, requiring doctors to remove fluid from his right lung the next morning. Read more.

Kidney transplant care for children is delivered by a multidisciplinary team including:

• Nephrologists.
• Kidney transplant surgeons.
• Pediatric transplant coordinators.
• Renal clinic nurses.
• Dialysis nurses.
• Dietitians.
• Psychologists.
• Social workers.

An extensive evaluation is conducted before your child can be placed on the transplant list. Testing includes:

• Blood tests.
• Diagnostic tests.
• Psychological and social evaluation of the child, if appropriate, and the family.

These tests help determine the urgency of your child's need for a transplant, and ultimately, ensure your child receives a donor organ that is a good match. The tests analyze general health, including your child's heart, lung and kidney function, nutritional status and any presence of infection.

The kidney transplant team will consider all information from interviews, your child's medical history, physical examinations and diagnostic tests in determining if your child is a candidate for a kidney transplant. Following this evaluation, your child may be placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing waiting list.

Each child has a kidney transplant team that works together to provide the best chance for a successful transplant.

Transitioning Adult Patients to Froedtert Hospital

Transplant patients typically are transitioned to Froedtert Hospital, also located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus, one year after high-school graduation. A multidisciplinary approach is used to transition our patients to adult care. We begin preparing our pediatric patients in their early teens. Our patients and families are involved in the entire process and work closely with the transplant social worker.

Overview of the Kidney Transplant Program
Kidney Transplant Diagnoses/Services
Frequently Asked Questions about Kidney Transplants
Statistics and Outcomes
Research
Resources for Families
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