Renal Transplants

For being so tiny, a child's kidneys are mighty organs. They are responsible for removing wastes and excess water from the blood; regulating blood pressure, sodium, and potassium levels; and making hormones responsible for growth and red blood cells. Conditions such as birth defects and other hereditary diseases can cause the kidneys to stop working.

Transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. But often, a child must be on dialysis, a man-made method of filtering the blood, until a compatible donor becomes available. Now, with on-site pediatric dialysis (established March 2005) and the addition of a pediatric transplant surgeon (July 2005), Driscoll Children's Hospital offers a full circle of care for infants and children with end-stage renal disease.

Each year, more than 4,000 Texans wait for available donor kidneys, about 10% of those are children. With Driscoll's Renal Transplant Program offering comprehensive, quality, pediatric kidney care in South Texas, children with end-stage-renal disease will be able to receive care closer to home.

Children and their families benefit from specialized care provided by an experienced team led by pediatric transplant surgeons and pediatric nephrologists (kidney doctors), recognized as some of the best in South Texas. In addition, pediatric sub-specialists, nurses, dieticians, social workers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals round out the team - all specially trained in working exclusively with children. Driscoll's staff will assist, counsel and educate families through dialysis, pre- and post-operative requirements and dietary changes so that they may successfully manage their child's health and emotional needs.

Driscoll's Children's Hospital's Kidney Transplant Program and Kidney Center staff is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children who need dialysis until they are able to receive a transplant. From diagnosis and pre-transplant testing and counseling to transplant surgery and recovery . Driscoll will care for young patients while living with their donor kidney well into adulthood.