Kidney Transplants
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 13.1.8
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.
Test yourself on Kidney Transplants
Why do donor kidneys usually come from close relatives?
How many kidneys are people typically born with?