Access to Deceased Donor Kidney Transplants for Pediatric Patients in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

The conditions under which the allocation of deceased donor organs takes place are cause for controversy. Objective. To identify the criteria for allocating deceased donor kidneys in pediatric care services in twelve countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Results. In ten surveyed countries, the waiting lists for kidney transplants in pediatrics are regional, generally for administrative reasons more than to reduce cold ischemia times. HLA matching is done and a point-score system is taken into account when selecting the ultimate recipient. In some countries, young donor (<30 years) kidneys are not always for pediatric recipients. Conclusion. There are point-score systems for allocating deceased donor organs in most Latin American and Caribbean countries, and children have priority. Guatemala and Nicaragua do not have a deceased donor program. In the case of Mexico, although there is a growing transplant structure, there is no point-score system and only some transplant groups, through their own initiative, afford priority to children. A consensus on this issue within in the Latin American transplant community is needed to provide for less subjective and fairer deceased donor kidney allocation.