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Who Needs a Kidney Transplant | Dr. Vishwanath S | Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road

In this video, Dr. Vishwanath S, HOD & Consultant – Nephrology at Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, explains that kidney transplantation is necessary when kidney function falls below 10%, or in end-stage renal disease. For children and younger patients, transplantation is preferable to long-term dialysis, as it improves survival, growth, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Dialysis in children can stunt growth, affect development, and lead to other complications, making early transplant the best option. Paediatric kidney transplants are generally performed when a child weighs 10–12 kg and requires a specialised team of surgeons, paediatric intensivists, and anaesthetists. Live donors, often parents or grandparents, provide the kidney. Preemptive transplantation, performed before dialysis becomes necessary, allows children to gain weight, resume schooling, and return to normal routines. Paediatric kidney transplant is a niche programme offered in a few centres, and early evaluation ensures optimal growth, nutrition, and long-term outcomes for children with chronic kidney disease.