[The use of kidney grafts++ from donors of the same age or below 3 years (weight equal or below 15 Kg)]

Abstract

Over the last few years an impasse has been seen in the number of donors for organ transplantation. This has prompted a re-statement on the use of a group of grafts which, historically, were considered suboptimal: those from donors aged 3 years or under (weight less than or equal to 15 kg). 124 transplantations from corpse donors performed in adults over a 36 months period (Jun 90/July 93) were revised. 24 grafts (19.3%) from donors aged 3 years or under were used. Thirteen (54%) of these grafts were from donors aged 24 months or under, and six (27%) from donors aged 12 months or under. A comparative analysis is made on the clinical and functional evolution of these grafts, as well as their current survival status versus those from donors aged between 3 and 60 years (n = 86, 69.3%). Transplants made with grafts from donors older than 60 years (n = 14, 11.2%) were excluded from the analysis. Our results suggest that use of kidneys from donors aged 3 years or under--weight less than or equal to 15 kg--, implanted as units is acceptable when compared to grafts from older donors. Considering the current impasse in donations for organ transplantation we believe use of this type of donors, as a useful source of grafts, should be advocated.