Adolescents who receive a kidney transplant have high rates of psychiatric problems, educational impairment, and social isolation. Researchers from Switzerland compared psychologic profiles of teen kidney disease patients with adolescents who received kidney transplants. Three groups were studied: 40 kidney transplant recipients, 40 healthy adolescents, and 20 adolescents with chronic kidney disease - all between the ages of 12-18 years. It was found that the transplant recipients were more likely than the other adolescents to have educational difficulties and behavioural problems. Sixty-five percent of transplant recipients met criteria for a psychiatric disorder compared with 60 percent of kidney disease patients and 37 percent of healthy teens. Transplant recipients and kidney disease patients were equally likely to have depression during their lifetime with a rate of 35 percent, which is much higher than the 15 percent rate noted in healthy teens. The researchers recommend that mental health, educational, and behavioural issues of teen transplant recipients should be routinely explored both before and after transplant, and appropriate steps should be taken when needed. Nonetheless, data from larger groups of recipients are needed to confirm the findings.
Pediatric Transplantation
February 2009