Table 1 Main challenges identified in Paediatric Transplantation
Main challenges | Description | Challenges classification and terms |
|---|---|---|
Post-transplant morbidity and mortality | Mortality and morbidity rates are still high in children | Clinical - short-term |
Longer life expectancy in children | Children poses a greater risk of prolonged and severe side effects related to long-term immunosuppression, disabilities and secondary cancer [7, 8] | Clinical – medium/long-term |
Physiological Immaturity | Many organs and body systems, specially the immune, metabolic and endocrinology systems, impact on the growing and developmental process | Clinical – medium/long-term |
Risk factors during adolescence | Disruptions in the continuity of medical provision during such a delicate developmental period. | Social – medium/long-term |
Transition to adulthood | Additional transitional programmes are needed in order to ensure active collaboration between paediatric and adult transplant programs. | Clinical – medium/long-term |
Psychosocial progress and social integration | Severe psychological and socio-economic issues could be identified during the transplant process. | Social – medium/long-term |
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) acceptable but lower than their healthy peers | HRQoL of patients and parents that taking care of transplanted children can be seriously impaired, mainly in the ability to perform tasks of daily living, to fulfil social roles, and the psychological well-being of the patients. | Social – medium/long-term |