Texas Children's Hospital performs more solid organ transplants than any other pediatric hospital in the nation

HOUSTON - (March 25, 2014) - Texas Children's Hospital in Houston announced that in 2013 the hospital saved the lives of nearly 100 patients by performing 98 transplants, making it the most active pediatric transplant center in the nation and one of the most active in the world. To learn more about solid organ transplantation at Texas Children's Hospital please visit texaschildrens.org/transplant.


"The organ-transplant process is extremely complex," said Dr. John Goss, medical director of the transplant program at Texas Children's and professor and chief of abdominal transplantation at Baylor College of Medicine. "Not only did we transplant more organs than ever before in our hospital's history, but we have among the best outcomes in the nation for children who need them."


From infants, to young adults, the team at Texas Children's transplants patients of all ages and takes on the most complex cases, many times accepting patients that other centers have turned away. "Thanks to the renowned team, from the medical subspecialists to the surgeons to talented and dedicated hospital staff, and their comprehensive approach to care, Texas Children's has saved the lives of many children that otherwise would not be with us today," said Jeffrey Heinle, surgical director of the heart and lung transplant program. With the multidisciplinary expertise of physicians, surgeons, nurses, transplant pharmacists, child life specialists, dietitians, social workers and financial counselors, Texas Children's has years of experience working with children in need of transplants, as well as with the organ procurement system our country has in place. In fact, Texas Children's is one of the few pediatric transplant programs to have dedicated teams for immunology, infectious disease, pathology, pharmacy, intensive care and operating room nursing.

Heart Transplant Program

Texas Children's Heart Transplant Program is one of the largest and most successful in the country, treating some of the rarest and most complex cases. Since 1984, more than 290 heart transplants have been performed at the hospital. Though there are a number of reasons that lead to heart transplantation in children, the most common reasons are cardiomyopathy resulting in end-stage heart failure, and end-stage or inoperable congenital heart disease that is not treatable by medicines or conventional surgery.


Texas Children's Heart Center is on the cutting-edge of ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, which provides circulatory support until a transplant can be received. Texas Children's offers the best VAD tailored to each child's size, diagnosis and needs for both short- and long-term assistance.

Kidney Transplant Program

The Kidney Transplant Program at Texas Children's Hospital has performed more than 340 kidney transplants. Approximately 20 percent were done preemptively, prior to the start of chronic dialysis, and nearly 30 percent were from living donors. Today, living donor nephrectomy is performed using state-of-the-art laparoscopic techniques, which allow the donor to recover more rapidly after surgery and resume normal activities.


The team at Texas Children's is staffed by transplant surgeons, pediatric urologists and pediatric nephrologists with expertise in the breadth of pediatric kidney diseases ranging from chronic glomerulonephritis to rare hereditary diseases, such as primary hyperoxaluria and cystinosis. Additionally, the team also treats complex congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, including obstructive uropathy, posterior urethral valves, reflux nephropathy and spina bifida. Supportive care is provided by the Pediatric Dialysis Program at Texas Children's, which has expertise in performing acute and chronic hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and pheresis for children of all ages and sizes from infant to adolescent.

Liver Transplant Program

The Liver Transplant Program at Texas Children's Hospital aims to provide the best possible care to children who are in need of a liver transplant and achieve the best possible outcomes. Since 2000, over 400 patients have received new livers at Texas Children's and in 2013 the hospital transplanted more children in need of livers than any other pediatric hospital in the U.S. Procedures include whole organ, reduced-liver, living and living-related donor, and in-situ split-liver transplants.

Working in a state-of-the-art facility with a focus on family-centered care, the experienced team at Texas Children's performs 35 to 45 liver transplants in children each year, ranging from young infants to age 18, making it one of the most experienced liver transplant programs in the U.S.

Lung Transplant Program

Texas Children's Lung Transplant Program is one of the largest pediatric lung transplant programs in the world. The experienced, multidisciplinary team has transplanted lungs in children from all areas of the U.S. Since 2002, the over 150 patient have received new lungs and in 2013 the team transplanted more children in need of new lungs than any other center in the world. Also, with a median wait time of less than four months, it offers a shorter wait time than most other pediatric programs.


Though many diseases affect the lungs, not all lung diseases are treated with a lung transplant. The most common diseases that lead to lung transplantation are cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, bronchiolitis obliterans and interstitial lung disease.

Outcomes

Texas Children's Hospital has among the best transplant outcomes in the country. A first-class critical care team is essential for positive outcomes post-transplant and Texas Children's has one of the busiest intensive care units in the nation, caring for children in need of transplantation both before and after their life-saving surgery. Our one year and three patient survival rates are amongst the highest in the country. Outcomes for all major transplant programs in the country are published publically and can be viewed on the Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients.


Additionally, Texas Children's is nationally certificated by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS). For insurance providers looking for pediatric transplant programs, CMS certification serves as an easily recognizable designation that denotes the level of care that can be expected. Families can expect that same level of high quality care as well and, if necessary, increased out of network support from their insurance company to receive care at Texas Children's.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.