Kids are special: Are we giving them the priority they deserve?

Kids are special: Are we giving them the priority they deserve?T he inherent growth and development of pediatric patients means that dialysis can be detrimental, and delays in transplantation mean losses in developmental opportunities that may never be recovered.The United Network for Organ Sharing thus offers pediatric priority to patients waitlisted before their 18th birthday.Patients who may not yet be ready for transplant can have an inactive status on the waitlist but still retain pediatric priority.Unfortunately, many pediatric patients with severe chronic kidney disease or even end-stage renal disease miss the 18th birthday cutoff for listing and are thus unable to access pediatric priority if listed after their 18th birthday.This oversight may translate into lifelong consequences.