GROWTH AND FUNCTION OF EN-BLOC INFANT KIDNEY-TRANSPLANTS - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

We evaluated the growth and function of 21 pairs of en bloc infant kid neys transplanted into adult recipients. Serum creatinine, (99m)techne tium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid glomerular filtration rates, k idney volumes and resistive indexes were determined at 1 to 3, 3 to 6 and beyond 6 months, and compared using repeated measures analysis of variance tests. En bloc kidneys grew at a statistically significant ra te (p <0.001), for example nearly 2-fold in 3 to 6 months (209 +/- 69 cc from 132 +/- 70 cc), and approaching 3-fold at 6 months and longer (325 +/- 106 cc). Similarly, the glomerular filtration rates increased almost 4-fold (83 +/- 52 ml. from 23 +/- 11 ml. per minute) and 5-fol d (121 +/- 45 ml., p <0.001), respectively, during the same periods. R esistive indexes remained at normal range (0.60 to 0.63). Recipient bl ood pressure was normal. Our study shows that infant en bloc kidney tr ansplants grow rapidly and provide excellent function to the adult rec ipient.