title: Waiting for transplant: physical, psychosocial, and nutritional status considerations for pediatric candidates and implications for care.
abstract: The waiting period for an organ transplant has been described as a time of tremendous uncertainty and vulnerability, posing unique challenges and stressors for pediatric transplant candidates and their families. It has been identified as the most stressful stage of the transplant journey, yet little attention has been given to the physical, psychological, or social impact of the waiting period in the literature. In this review, we discuss the physical, nutritional, and psychosocial implications of the waiting period for child and adolescent transplant candidates and the impact on their parents and siblings. We identify areas for future research and provide recommendations for clinical practice to support children, adolescents, and families during the waiting period.
authors.affiliation: Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Annunziato
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fairey
authors.forename: Vicky L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D035781:Siblings; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods*; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: nutritional; pediatric transplantation; physical; psychosocial adjustment; quality of life; waiting period