UNOS Considers Prioritization Kidney Transplants For Younger Patients

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 09 Nov 2006 - 21:00 PDT

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The United Network for Organ Sharing is drafting new criteria for prioritizing adult kidney transplant recipients, the Los Angeles Times reports. In most cases, kidneys go to patients who have waited the longest. UNOS last year changed the rules for people younger than 18, giving them priority over adults. UNOS now is considering changes for adults, who make up more than 95% of patients who receive kidneys from cadavers. UNOS is examining a computer analysis that includes data on more than 300,000 patients placed on kidney waiting lists since 1987. The analysis "shows which types of recipients should be favored in order to squeeze the maximum life out of the pool of all available kidneys," the Times reports. The analysis includes age, race, health, body mass index, diagnosis, years on dialysis and years of survival after transplant. Criteria have not been decided, but "age, the most important factor in predicting survival, is an unavoidable consideration," according to the Times. A formal proposal for new criteria and public hearings is expected in 2007. The Health Resources and Services Administration must approve any changes (Zarembo, Los Angeles Times, 11/5).

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