Improving Longevity for Pediatric Organ Recipients: The Journey Continues
Long-term follow-up of pediatric organ transplant recipients is crucial to identify ways to improve their long-term survival. A study from Finland found that the risk of premature death among pediatric transplant recipients is significantly higher compared to their peers, with cardiovascular disease, infections, and cancer being common causes of death. The importance of documenting long-term outcomes for all patients and living donors is recognized, and efforts are being made to strengthen accountability and transparency in the organ transplantation system. However, there is still a lot more to be done to achieve longevity for pediatric transplant patients, including conducting more randomized controlled trials and addressing modifiable risk factors such as hypertension. International collaborations and sharing of data are expected to provide additional insights into long-term patient survival.