Children's Kidney Disease Support Group

1. Hemodialysis

2. Peritoneal dialysis

3. Kidney transplantation.

What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a operation in which a person whose own kidneys have failed and they receive a new kidney to take over the work of cleaning the blood.

What are the two types of kidney transplant?

1. Those that come from a living donor. A living donor may be someone in your immediate or extended family spouse or close friend.

2. Those that come from non-related donor who have died. (these are called cadaver donor).

What is rejection?

The most important complication that may occur after a transplant is rejection of the kidney. The body’s immune system guards against attacks by all foreign matter such as bacteria. This defense system may recognize tissue transplanted from someone else as "foreign" and act to fight this foreign invader.

What medication do you need to take?

Most patients need to take three types. The major one is usually Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf or Prograf). In addition, you will most likely be taking some type of steroid and the third medication, such as Mycophenolate Mofetil (cell cept) Azathioprine (Imuran) or Rapamycin (Rapamune). Additional treatment may be needed if a rejection occurs.

You will also need to see your nephrologist and transplantation team on a regular basis.

If you would like more information write to:

The National Kidney Foundation

30 East 33rd Street

New York, NY 10016

or call them at: 1-800-622-9010

or visit them on the web at: www.kidney.org

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