News Kidney Swaps and Living Donors Fuel Transplant Growth at Lurie Children’s
Kidney Swaps and Living Donors Fuel Transplant Growth at Lurie Children’s
Lurie Children’s has one of the most active pediatric living donor transplant programs among children’s hospitals in the U.S. This means more children receive transplants sooner — often from a parent or loved one — allowing them to return to healthy, active lives faster. In 2024, Lurie Children’s completed 44 kidney transplants, the most of any children’s hospital in the U.S.
Beyond single-organ transplants, the hospital’s multidisciplinary team has the expertise to perform complex double-organ procedures such as kidney–liver and heart–kidney combinations, providing comprehensive care for children with multiple organ failure. In 2025, the hospital completed three double-organ transplants.
Lurie Children’s also participates in national kidney paired donation programs, or “kidney swaps,” connecting donor–recipient pairs who aren’t compatible with others across the country. These innovative programs create transplant chains that make it possible for more children to receive a needed transplant. As a result of these programs, more than 25% of the kidney transplants performed this year at Lurie Children’s have been from living donors.
Lurie Children’s serves families from across the U.S. and around the world through its International and Destination Patient Services Program, helping coordinate care and support for patients traveling from out of state or abroad. From the first consultation to long-term follow-up, the hospital’s compassionate team works closely with families to ensure a seamless, personalized experience.
With clinical excellence and innovation, Lurie Children’s and its multidisciplinary specialists remain at the forefront of improving outcomes in pediatric kidney transplantation.
“As long as children need us, Lurie Children’s will continue to grow, advancing the programs that make it a destination for exceptional pediatric kidney care and transplantation,” said Dr. Priya Verghese, Division Head of Nephrology and Medical Director of the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program.
