Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a neonatal kidney donor

Abstract

EKT from neonatal donors remains rare despite successful outcome being reported. The surgical aspects of neonatal abdominal organ recovery remain unfamiliar to the vast majority of abdominal organ recovery teams and renal transplant surgeons. BAH is not uncommon in newborn babies suffering distress in the perinatal period. BAH is often also associated with RVT and will impact on utilization of kidneys for transplantation. We present a case of a neonatal kidney donor with massive BAHs discovered at the time of organ recovery. This made the procurement challenging. Both kidneys were recovered en bloc with pancreas and the liver with aorta and inferior vena cave as vascular conduits. The kidneys were successfully implanted into an adult recipient with good function at 1-year follow-up. Association between adrenal hemorrhage and RVT needs to be considered before utilizing such kidneys. This case exemplifies successful outcome after careful assessment and transplantation of such kidneys.

Potential of neonatal organ donation and outcome after transplantation

“…The same authors also published a case report describing bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a neonatal donor. 82 Kidneys were procured en bloc and transplanted into a 20-year-old recipient, with a functioning graft at 1-year follow-up.…”

“…No statistical difference in graft survival or kidney function could be shown at one‐year follow‐up. The same authors also published a case report describing bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a neonatal donor 82 . Kidneys were procured en bloc and transplanted into a 20‐year‐old recipient, with a functioning graft at 1‐year follow‐up.…”