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Pediatric Kidney

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my child have a kidney transplant? 
What is the transplant evaluation? 
Who can refer a person for transplant evaluation? 
How do I get to Tulane Medical Center? 
What do I need to bring with me to the first visit? 
What happens at the transplant appointment? 
How long will the evaluation take? 
When will I know the results of my child's evaluation? 
When will my child get a kidney transplant? 
How long is the wait for a kidney? 
Will my child need to see the Transplant Team again after I am on the list? 
How do I call the Transplant Center? 

Why should my child have a kidney transplant?

Kidney transplant is one treatment for kidney failure. It will let your child have a more normal life free of the dialysis. Children do better with a transplant because they have normal growth and development. You should talk to your child’s kidney doctor about your child’s specific medical condition and how it can be treated with a transplant . If you still have questions call us for more information.

What is the transplant evaluation?

A transplant evaluation is the work that is done to prepare you child for transplant. It includes a history and physical, financial, and nutritional evaluation, blood tests, a chest x-ray, and EKG (heart tracing). Your child may need additional tests depending on their unique medical condition.

Who can refer a person for transplant evaluation?

Usually the pediatric nephrologist will make the transplant referral but anyone, including you, can call to make the transplant appointment. Sometimes insurance companies will tell the policy holder which transplant center is in their network. Our financial counselor can check on this for you.

How do I get to Tulane Medical Center?

After the appointment is made you will receive a letter confirming the appointment. In this envelope will be a map and a checklist of things to help you prepare for the appointment.

What do I need to bring with me to the first visit?

You should bring the insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card for us to copy for our records. As the parent or guardian you will need a picture ID so we can verify your identity. You should also bring:

  1. A complete list of all the medicine your child is taking, including the name, amount and how often.
  2. A copy of the most recent blood tests from the dialysis center.
  3. A complete list of all the doctors that your child sees for healthcare. We will need the doctor’s full name, address and phone number. This will help us contact the doctors for medical records and updates on your health.
  4. A list of surgeries and the dates.
  5. A list of your child’s medical problems and the approximate date they started.
  6. A list of any special medical tests your child has had, for example a heart test, and the name and phone number of doctor who did the test.
  7. Most important, bring a list of the questions you want to ask us.

What happens at the transplant appointment?

The receptionist in our clinic will greet you and will ask for your insurance cards to make a copy for our records. Our nurse will show you and your child to an examination room and take your child's temperature, blood pressure, height and weight.

In the transplant clinic you will be seeing the following people:

  1. Pediatric nephrologists/ nurse practitioner for a history and physical examination
  2. Social worker
  3. Financial counselor
  4. Dietitian
  5. Transplant coordinator

The transplant coordinator will be your guide through this transplant appointment. While you are here you be given information about transplant and donation, see a film and talk with all of us about transplantation. Bring a list of questions with you so you do not forget what you want to ask.

After you and your child have seen everyone in clinic, you will be directed to take your child to the laboratory, the radiology department for a chest x-ray and to cardiology for an EKG.

You will then be finished for the day.

Your transplant coordinator will call you when your child's tests are complete or if there are other tests to schedule.

You will not leave without a plan for completing your child's workup.

How long will the evaluation take?

The first appointment will take 4 to 6 hours. This is the first step in the evaluation. Your child may need additional tests or to see other doctors because of special health problems. The Transplant Coordinator will be able to tell you if additional tests are need at this first visit. There may be other tests you will need later after the whole team reviews your case.

When will I know the results of my child’s evaluation?

Your transplant coordinator will call you after all the tests have been completed and reviewed by the team at the Transplant Selection Committee. This meeting is when the whole team reviews your child’s case to make the decision about transplant for you. We meet every week so usually within a week or two after your tests are complete, you should expect to hear from us.

When will my child get a kidney transplant?

After we discuss your child's case at the Transplant Selection Committee and the decision is made to place him or her on the waiting list, the transplant coordinator will call you. You will also get a letter telling you that your child is on the list. We also send a letter to your child's kidney doctor and your dialysis unit. If you do not get this letter, please call us.

If there is a living donor for your child, the donor will be tested and the transplant can be scheduled as soon as the donor tests are complete.

How long is the wait for a kidney?

If you have no living donor to give your child a kidney, the waiting time varies by blood type and tissue typing that we did on your first visit. It can be six months to three years. You should discuss this with your transplant coordinator.

Will my child need to see the Transplant Team again after being put on the waiting list?

Your transplant coordinator will be in touch with your pediatric nephrologists at least once a month. If there are any concerns the coordinator may be in touch with you to make an appointment with the transplant team.

How do I call the Transplant Center?

For referral, please call (504) 988-5344 or long toll free (888) 988-5344. Our operator will direct you to the proper person. You will be given the numbers for your coordinator when they see you in the Transplant Clinic.