Overview
A kidney transplant surgery can give a child with chronic kidney disease a new life. A healthy kidney means freedom from dialysis, multiple injections and blood transfusions, along with relief from debilitating symptoms such as weakness and fatigue. A transplant surgery can be life-changing, allowing children to be more active, attend school, travel, have fewer dietary restrictions and just feel better in general.
Our Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program
Tiffany gave Alejandro the ultimate gift — her kidney. Read about their heartwarming reunion.
In 2001, UC San Diego brought its established pediatric abdominal transplant program to Rady Children’s to help provide transplant patients with specialized pediatric services. Since that time, our transplant team of healthcare professionals/transplant surgeons have performed over 100 pediatric kidney transplants and maintained outcomes well above the national average. The pediatric kidney transplant program is part of the Division of Nephrology, which provides comprehensive care to all pediatric patients with kidney disease, ranging from general kidney problems to dialysis and transplants. The division is routinely recognized as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Our pediatric kidney transplant team works with you or your child before, during and after the kidney transplant surgery. We take a multidisciplinary approach during the transplant process, working closely with the Urology and Rheumatology programs as well as other departments to help address the many common causes of kidney disease. We have social workers, pharmacists, nurses, child life specialists and financial coordinators who specialize in the care of kidney transplant patients, and this team follows your child through their transplant process and journey. We are able to provide desensitization therapies for patients with high antibody levels and participate in paired exchange programs for pediatric patients with living donors who are not compatible.
Kidney Transplant Process
Rady Children’s Hospital Kidney Transplant is one of the leading pediatric transplant centers in the nation teaming with UC San Diego to provide excellent care to our patients.
Living Donor Program
Transplants of kidneys from living donors can reduce waiting time. As a living kidney donor, you can help with the lifesaving decision of donating a kidney.
Comprehensive Kidney Care Center
Rady Children’s Comprehensive Kidney Care Center treats children and young adults up to 21 years of age with kidney disease and offers a full range of services.
Location & Contact
View our location address as well as contact information. We are here to answer all of your inquiries to ensure your child receives the best care possible.
Patient Stories
Alejandro got the ultimate gift from a complete stranger. Check out their incredible reunion.
Born with a severe kidney disorder, Santino now thrives. Read about his incredible journey.
In the News
- Joven Hispano Busca el Regalo de Vida, un Nuevo Riñón, Telemundo, features Dean Nourbakhsh, DO
- Teen Gets Kidney Transplant, Graduates High School, nbcsandiego.com, features Rady Children’s Hospital