Pediatric kidney transplantation: Historic hallmarks and a personal perspective

Over the last five decades, pediatric kidney transplantation (Tx) has prove d to be a viable therapeutic alternative for children with end-stage renal disease. Patient and graft survival rates, as well as longterm quality of l ife, have improved dramatically during this time, as a result of advances i n surgical techniques, immunosuppression. and pre- and post-operative care. The inspired, hard work of multidisciplinary clinical teams, combined with the determination and courage of the young patients and their families, ha ve fueled the success of pediatric kidney Tx. It is with similar optimism a nd drive that we face the great challenges of the future, such as maximizin g the donor pool and inducing tolerance.