Living Donor Kidney Transplant

The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles team has the expertise to perform living donor kidney transplants for children. A living donor transplant allows a healthy adult to donate one of their kidneys. Kidneys from living donors often last longer and have fewer complications than kidneys from deceased donors.

At birth, most people have two kidneys. Because one healthy kidney can do the work of two kidneys, it’s possible for an adult to donate a kidney to a child in need. Afterward, both the donor and child can expect to lead long, active lives.

Adult-to-Child Living Donor Kidney Transplants: Why Choose Us

Children who have living donor kidney transplants at our Kidney Transplant Program benefit from:

  • Deep expertise in adult-to-child kidney transplants: Living organ donors have health assessments and kidney donation surgery at Keck Medicine of USC. USC is a regional leader in kidney donation and adult kidney transplant procedures. The transplant teams at CHLA and USC work together to deliver exceptional care to donors and transplant recipients. Learn more about kidney transplant care at USC.
  • Established history of transplant success: We have a long history of successful living donor kidney transplants. Our first living donor kidney transplant from father to son in 1967 worked for more than 50 years. It was one of the longest functioning living donor kidney transplants in U.S. history.
  • Personalized care: Your child receives multidisciplinary care from a team of experts. We create a customized treatment plan to meet your child’s needs. Our transplant coordinators support your child and your family before, during and after transplantation.

Living donor kidney transplant options

We specialize in all types of living donor kidney transplants for children. These include:

  • Paired kidney exchanges: If your living donor’s blood type isn’t a good match for your child, our team can coordinate a kidney exchange or swap. The kidney from your family’s living donor goes to another child. In return, your child receives a more compatible kidney from the recipient family’s living donor. Multiple living donors and families from across the country may participate in kidney swaps. This approach helps more children get donor kidneys.
  • Transplants for international patients: We offer kidney transplant services for a small number of children from other countries. These children must have a living kidney donor.

Benefits of living donor kidney transplants

A living donor kidney transplant offers your child many benefits:

  • Optimal transplant timing: With a living donor, we can plan for your child’s transplant. We schedule the transplant as soon as safely possible for your child.
  • Healthier donor kidneys: Living donors are usually younger and in better overall health than deceased organ donors. Their donated kidneys often start working immediately after transplantation—and can continue to function for decades as a child grows into adulthood. Potential kidney donors who need to improve their health before surgery can participate in the USC Donate Well program. Specialists help donors make dietary and lifestyle changes, so they’re able to donate a kidney and have an easier postsurgical recovery.
  • Reduced risk of organ rejection: A donor kidney from a relative is usually a better match than a kidney from an unrelated donor. A better match means a lower risk of organ rejection and a greater chance of long-term transplant success.
  • Speedy donor-to-recipient transplant: We coordinate the timing of the donor surgery with surgeons at USC (less than 10 miles from CHLA). This timing ensures the donor kidney is outside of a person’s body for a very brief period. A fast donor-to-transplant recipient procedure can minimize cell and tissue damage to the donor kidney.

What takes place during living kidney donation?

Potential living organ donors must be at least 18 years old and in good physical and mental health. If you’re interested in donating a kidney to a child in our care, you may get health screenings at USC. The actual kidney donation surgery must take place at USC to ensure quick transplantation.

During the screening process, potential living kidney donors:

  • Receive assistance from an independent donor advocate. This specialist’s top priority is looking out for the health and well-being of the donor—not the transplant recipient. Advocates ensure potential donors understand the risks of kidney donation.
  • Get psychological assessments for potential mental health issues. These issues may complicate recovery or affect a donor’s ability to fully understand and consent to organ donation.
  • Answer questions about the postsurgical support they’ll have during recovery, as well as how surgery might affect their work or finances.
  • Have a complete physical examination. Tests may include blood and urine tests, heart and lung tests, screenings for cancers and transmittable diseases, and a gynecological examination if appropriate.
  • Get imaging scans, such as CT scans, MRI or ultrasound images of their kidneys, bladder and surrounding organs and blood vessels.

Blood tests for living kidney donors

Blood tests help ensure a compatible match between donor and child. Our team checks for:

  • Blood type compatibility: Kidney transplants work best when your child and their donor have the same blood type. Donors who aren’t a good match may consider a paired kidney exchange.
  • Crossmatching: Crossmatching refers to how well your child’s body will respond to the donor kidney. A negative crossmatch means the donor kidney is likely to be a successful match. A positive crossmatch indicates a higher risk for organ rejection.
  • Tissue typing: This test checks the child and donor’s white blood cells for six different tissue matches. Your child’s chances of a successful long-term transplant increase when there’s a higher number of tissue matches.

Become a living kidney donor

Please contact us to learn more about becoming a living kidney donor for a child in need at CHLA.

Kidney Transplant Care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Our expert surgeons perform all types of pediatric kidney transplants. Learn more about the leading-edge care available at our Kidney Transplant Program.