[14 years of kidney transplantation in children. Results with special reference to cyclosporin A treatment].

In Hannover, between 1970 and 1983 a total of 115 kidney transplantations were performed in 97 children aged between 2 and 16 years. On 31st December 1983, 85 children (= 88%) were alive and 77 of them (= 79,4%) had a functioning graft, while 8 (= 8,2%) had to return to dialysis treatment. Of 115 grafts transplanted 39 (= 33,9%) were lost again. Late complications in children with longlasting graft function included hypertension, steroid-cushing, osteo-porosis and growth retardation. Since September 1982 the new immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A was used in combination with a low dose prednisolone therapy. Results of 28 kidney transplantations with cyclosporin A treatment are compared to 37 kidney transplantations with cyclosporin A treatment are compared to 37 kidney transplantations with conventional immunosuppression with azathioprin plus prednisolone. The two year survival rate of grafts was 96% under cyclosporin A, compared to 68% under conventional immunosuppression. The survival rate of patients after two years did not differ in both groups (96 vs. 94%). The growth rates under cyclosporin A are significantly better than under conventional immunosuppression.