Kidney transplant is a medical procedure that involves the replacement of the damaged kidneys of a person with a healthy one taken from a suitable donor. Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that are situated on either side of the lower back. These perform various vital functions that are important for our existence and you will be surprised to know that even if one of the two kidneys, fails to carry out its functions, but the other one is healthy and functioning normally, the person can lead a normal and healthy life. However, if both the kidneys fail to function, and the person does not respond to medicine and other treatments, a renal transplant is an ultimate resort. As per the best doctor in Pune, while a majority of people undergoing the transplant are usually adults, it is also performed on children.

It is quite natural for the parents to be overwhelmed when their little one is recommended to undergo such a major surgical procedure and a lot of questions come to their mind. Paediatric kidney transplant in Pune is offered at all the leading hospitals like Jupiter Hospital, where the doctors curate personalized treatment plans to suit the specific medical needs of the child. The decision is taken after proper assessment and evaluating the potential outcomes, which are then briefly explained to the parents. Since a child cannot take the decision on his/her own, it is usually the parents or the guardians who make the decision. So, if you are wondering whether your child can undergo a kidney transplant, the answer is yes.

Why would a child need a kidney transplant?

Kidney transplant is recommended in case of kidney failure or renal failure. The problem can adversely affect your child’s growth, bone strength and nerves. It also leads to the accumulation of toxic wastes in the body that eventually affect metabolism and leads to severe disabilities. Experts from the best nephrology surgery hospital in Pune recommend kidney transplant to children suffering from any of the following problems:

• Congenital defects: These are the major cause of kidney failure in kids below 4 years of age. These may be heredity or developed inside the mother’s womb as a result of an unhealthy pregnancy.
• Underlying hereditary diseases: These are the major cause of renal failure in kids lying in the age group of 5 to 15 years. If a certain renal disease runs in your family, your child may be vulnerable to the same and may acquire it in womb or post-birth.
• Underlying diseases that affect the blood vessels present in the kidneys -The is the leading cause of kidney failure in children lying in the age group of 15 and 19 years. The damaged blood vessels can prevent the kidneys from carrying out their functions properly.

Assessment and evaluation of the child’s overall health

Before making sure that the child is ready for the transplant, the doctors carry out a detailed evaluation to make sure that he/she is fit to undergo the transplant. These include a series of blood tests and diagnostic procedures along with a psychological evaluation to make sure that the child is mentally prepared to cope up with the post-surgical changes. These tests also help to determine the adversity of your child’s condition and determine how long he/she can delay the transplant. For this, the doctors will evaluate your child’s heart, lung and kidney function, nutritional status and presence of any kind of infection.

Hence, if your child has been recommended to undergo a kidney transplant, it is only after proper assessment and evaluation. If you still need any reassurance, you can consult doctors from the best hospital in Thane for a second opinion.