Quality of life after organ transplantation in children

Purpose of reviewThis review focuses on the tools used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), its risk factors, and the impact of chronic disease and organ transplantation on HRQoL in children.Recent findingsTransplantation improves the quality of life and improved psychological functioning, but there can be persisting problems with psychiatric symptoms in children with chronic organ disease. Evaluation of HRQoL should target both patients and their parents, and include tools that are specific to children such that targeted interventions can be instituted to improve psychosocial adjustment and physical functioning following solid-organ transplantation.SummaryHRQoL is an important consideration in the care of children and adolescents needing organ transplantation, as this age group is very vulnerable to nonadherence to posttransplant medical regimens which trigger acute and chronic allograft rejection and other medical complications.