Medication adherence in pediatric kidney transplantation: How to build a bridge over troubled water

Abstract

Adhering to the immunosuppressive regimen remains one of the biggest challenges for children and adolescents after kidney transplantation. The first paper on nonadherence, co‐authored by Dr. Fine, appeared in Pubmed over 45 years ago. Since then, many clinicians and researchers tried to better understand nonadherence and are looking for effective ways to support young people in implementing the complex medication regimen in their daily lives. As a tribute to Dr. Fine, we conducted a comprehensive review providing an overview of adherence‐enhancing interventions in the field of pediatric kidney transplantation, thereby focusing on strategies that not only are effective but can also be embedded in daily clinical practice successfully and sustainably. This overview is preceded by a discussion about how to find out who is in need of supportive interventions. We will also argue that interventions should already start before pediatric kidney transplantation and discuss how to decide whether or not a young patient with nonadherence‐induced graft loss should undergo retransplantation. We hope this comprehensive overview will rekindle the hope that we can finally turn the tide and beat one of pediatric kidney transplantation's main enemies.