Kidney Transplant: Requirements of a Kidney Donor

Kidney Functions and Problems

The kidneys are responsible for the regulation of electrolytes and maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. The organ also regulates blood pressure and most importantly, ensures the excretion of toxic wastes such as ammonium and urea. The kidneys also play a critical role in the re-absorption of amino acids and glucose, and in the production of hormones. Generation of the required amounts of erythropoietin and vitamin D is another vital kidney function. These paired organs are located behind the abdominal cavity. They are supplied with blood, by the paired renal arteries in the retroperitoneum, and drain into the paired renal veins. The urinary system that functions around the kidneys is based around the efficiency of each kidney to excrete urine into a paired ureter, that finally empties the waste into the urinary bladder before excreting it out of the body completely. Renal physiology or the study of kidney function, observes a number of ailments that affect kidney health and bring on the onslaught of kidney diseases such as:

• Nephritic Syndromes.
• Nephrotic Syndromes.
• Acute kidney failure.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Nephrolithiasis.
• Urinary tract obstruction.

Kidney Transplant

Renal transplant or kidney transplant refers to the transplantation of the organ, from a healthy donor to the body of an ailing counterpart, with a partly functional or completely dysfunctional urinary system. Kidney transplant is usually suggested in case of patients who are battling with some end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is either performed with an organ donated by a deceased-donor or former cadaveric or a living donor. Most living donors are required to be genetically related to the patient. However, today, the development of technology and a better understanding of organ compatibility, enables doctors to consider non-related transplantation too. The first ever documented kidney transplant was conducted in the United States of America, on June 17, 1950 on 44 year old Ruth Tucker, who was suffering the onslaught of polycystic kidney disease. The world's first successful renal transplant was conducted in 1954, by Dr. Joseph E. Murray and Dr. J. Hartwell Harrison. Dr. Murray received the 1990 Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Requirements of a Kidney Donor

The kidney donor has to necessarily be a healthy individual, with suitable cardiac and pulmonary sufficiency. He or she should test negative for any form of hepatic disease. Doctors also eliminate kidney donations from those suffering the onslaught of HIV, cardiovascular disease, terminal infectious diseases and any form of cancer. The screening process is strict and conducted with a prime objective of determining whether or not the donor will remain compliant with induced medication, essential for the organ transplant. Other exclusion criteria include detection of any form of mental illness, substance abuse and immune system depletion.

Kidney Transplant Risks

Any negligence on the part of any segment of the medical fraternity, could result in progression of the disease and death. Surgical complications are the result of ignored tobacco exposure of the donor and morbid obesity. It is very important to comply with age limitations and compatibility between the recipient and donor's immune system. It is not uncommon for the recipient's body to completely 'reject' the transplanted organ even before post-surgery medication is administered. The administration of medication to suppress the immune system is essential, but not without risk either. The suppression exposes both, the donor and recipient at greater risk of developing skin cancer and lymphoma or renal infection. The immunosuppressive regimens used during the procedure also carry a multitude of side effects. They are known to trigger diabetes, glucose intolerance, obesity, osteoporosis, cataract formation, muscle weakness and hypercholesterolemia.