Transplants
Applied Science: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 4.7.7
Kidney Transplant
Human beings are normally born with two kidneys but can survive with one kidney. Kidney donors can survive after donating a kidney, but they do put themselves at risk of complications.
Close relative
- Many patients choose to have a kidney transplant, which often comes from a close relative. Close relatives have a higher chance of being a tissue match.
Other registered donor
- Kidneys can also be transplanted from people who have recently died, provided that they are a tissue match and have registered onto the organ donor register.
Immunosuppressants
- Patients receiving a donor kidney often have to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives.
- These drugs suppress the immune system to prevent it from attempting to destroy the foreign cells of the transplanted kidney.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Kidney Transplants
Many patients choose to have a kidney transplant if they need one. The donated kidney often comes from a close relative.
Advantages
- The patient does not need to have dialysis treatment, which is time-consuming.
- Transplants are cheaper than dialysis in the long run.
Disadvantages
- The kidney may be rejected by the body.
- There can be long waiting lists for kidney transplants.
- The patient often has to take immunosuppressant drugs. These can make a patient more prone to other infections.
Test yourself on Transplants
Why do donor kidneys usually come from close relatives?
How many kidneys are people typically born with?
Which of these are advantages of kidney transplants?