When your child is referred to Texas Children’s Kidney Transplant Program, the first step is a thorough evaluation with one of our expert pediatric nephrologists, or kidney doctors. This evaluation period is a crucial step to determine whether your child needs a transplant or another more suitable treatment. Testing may take place while your child is in the hospital or on an outpatient basis, based on your child’s medical condition.
What to expect
The pre-transplant evaluation requires close to three days of consultations and testing. Generally, the evaluation consists of the following tests:
Blood testsChild life specialist evaluationCluster test and Cluster Evalation TeamsDentist (insurance dependent)Echocardiogram, Ultrasound of Vessels/CT AngiogramElectrocardiogram (EKG)Infectious disease evaluationImmune system evaluationKidney ultrasoundNutrition evaluationSocial work evaluationTransplant coordinator evaluationUrine and stool studiesVoiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)X-raysOther Subspecialties Evaluation
Blood testsCluster test and Cluster Evalation TeamsEchocardiogram, Ultrasound of Vessels/CT AngiogramInfectious disease evaluationKidney ultrasoundSocial work evaluationUrine and stool studiesX-raysChild life specialist evaluationDentist (insurance dependent)Electrocardiogram (EKG)Immune system evaluationNutrition evaluationTransplant coordinator evaluationVoiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)Other Subspecialties Evaluation
Blood testsCluster test and Cluster Evalation TeamsEchocardiogram, Ultrasound of Vessels/CT AngiogramInfectious disease evaluationKidney ultrasoundSocial work evaluationUrine and stool studiesX-raysChild life specialist evaluationDentist (insurance dependent)Electrocardiogram (EKG)Immune system evaluationNutrition evaluationTransplant coordinator evaluationVoiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)Other Subspecialties Evaluation
Medical Review Board
Once your child is approved by the Medical Review Board, the last step in the evaluation process is placing them on the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) waitlst for transplant. UNOS is an organization that coordinates the efforts of organ procurement organizations, which include transplant hospitals and specialty labs that measure organ compatibility. Together, they help match viable donated organs with the right recipients.
You’ll be notified of a decision after the meeting by the transplant coordinator and by letter from the review board.
