Challenges and Possible Solutions to Pediatric Organ Donation and Transplantation in Turkey and the Middle East: Panel Discussion/Brainstorm Session Summary Report.

Abstract

Organ transplantation is the best therapeutic option for children with end-stage organ failure. Pediatric transplantation centers and prioritization of organs for children are being established around the world. However, there is an important discrepancy observed when comparing high-income countries versus low-income and middle-income countries, as programs are active in some, but not in many others. Deceased organ donation is low in many places, which has led to an increase of organ shortage; consequently, there is a need to rely on the use of living donor organs. This is frequently the case for pediatric transplantation. To gather information about the possible reasons underlying these challenges and to propose possible solutions, a brainstorming session took place during the International Symposium on Pediatric Organ Donation and Transplantation in Ankara, Turkey. A description on different topics that were discussed is presented herein.