Most commonly asked questions from parents of pediatric transplant recipients.
Pediatric solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients and their parents are often challenged to cope with new transplant regimens as well as common situations in the context of organ transplantation. Health care professionals will receive questions from parents and children regarding clinical transplant care as well as general pediatric concerns that seem unfamiliar to families now that their child has a transplant. The literature is limited in some areas of pediatric care after SOT, and there is little guidance for the health care practitioner. To help address gaps in the literature and provide guidance for health care professionals, this article reviews some of the most commonly asked questions regarding general care after SOT, parenting the child with a chronic illness, and growth and development. The answers provided stem from the literature in part but also the combined clinical experiences of transplant centers that over time have moved toward decreased limitations and full social integration.
DeAngelis
Maria
M
Liver and Intestinal Transplant Program, Transplant Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada. maria.deangelis@sickkids.ca
Martin
Kathy
K
Williams
Angela
A
Kosmach-Park
Beverly
B
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life