ANALYSIS OF GROWTH-RATE OF PEDIATRIC KIDNEYS TRANSPLANTED INTO JUVENILES OR ADULTS

Estimation of renal length was carried out during radionuclide functio n studies, in cases of pediatric kidneys transplanted into adolescents or adults. In all 24 cases of single kidney transplants, the kidneys eventually increased in size, but at varying rates. From 5 cases with repeat studies close in time, and shortly after transplantation, an ap parent maximal growth rate was estimated. In 3 pairs of dual renal tra nsplants, with both kidneys surviving, marked differences in growth of each member of the pair was noted. The present initial description, o f rates of change in size of the transplanted pediatric kidneys, may s erve as a baseline from which to sort out the contributions of pre- an d post-transplant factors.