Long-Term Social, Academic, and Professional Outcomes in Adults Following Pediatric Kidney Transplant: A Single-Center Study.

Abstract

Objectives: Kidney transplant is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease in children due to superior effects on survival, growth, and quality of life versus dialysis. However, childhood kidney transplant presents unique challenges for long-term social, academic, and professional integration as recipients transition into adulthood. We assessed the educational attainment, employment status, and marital outcomes of an adult cohort of childhood kidney transplant recipients.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all pediatric kidney transplants at Başkent University Hospital from January 2015 through December 2024. Eligibility was defined as a renal graft before the age of 18 years with subsequent follow-up into adulthood. Data were collected via a structured, voluntary questionnaire administered during telephone interviews, which captured academic qualifications, employment status, marital status, posttransplant caregiver arrangements, and demographic information of patients' parents, including education and employment.

Results: We included 98 patients (mean age, 25.98 ±5.58 years; mean age at transplant, 14.12 ± 3.83 years), comprising 53 male (54.1%) and 45 female participants (45.9% ). Living-related donors were predominant. Regarding the recipients' parents, maternal education was predominantly low, and 82.7% of the maternal parents were homemakers. Paternal parents demonstrated higher employment rates (n = 47; 48.0% ) and more varied educational attainment. Educational attainment revealed that 48 patients (49.0% ) completed high school, 15 (15.3% ) attended university, and 9 (9.2% ) earned a bachelor-level degree. Employment status was reported by 47 recipients (47.9% ), with 48 (46.9% ) unemployed and 3 (3.1% ) employed part time. Seventeen participants (17.3% ) were married with at least 1 child.

Conclusions: Pediatric kidney transplant recipients encounter substantial future challenges in social and professional integration as they progress through adulthood. Our cohort demonstrated moderate educational achievement and employment rates, and most were unmarried. Our findings emphasize the importance of long-term multidisciplinary support to promote successful transitions into adulthood, addressing not only medical needs but also social and occupational needs.