Metabolomics in Search of Noninvasive Biomarkers for Allograft Rejection in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is recognized as the most effective treatment for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), providing significant improvements in quality of life and long-term survival. Traditional methods to detect involve after allograft rejection AR primarily invasive biopsy procedures that, while diagnostic, carry significant risks, especially in pediatric patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safer, less invasive, and more patient-friendly methods to monitor graft health. Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of small-molecule metabolites within a biological sample, offers a promising solution. Materials and Methods: This paper is a non-systematic review. PubMed and Scopus-indexed journals were used to collect articles for research. In general, 6 papers were included. Results: Our findings indicate that specific urinary metabolites can serve as sensitive and specific indicators of AR, offering a safer alternative to biopsies. Metabolomic profiling not only provides real-time insights into graft health, but also supports personalized management strategies to improve patient outcomes. This study contributes to the evolving field of transplant diagnostics, demonstrating how non-invasive methods such as metabolomics could revolutionize the monitoring and treatment of pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Keywords

• Metabolomics
• pediatrics
• kidney transplantation
• rejection
• biomarkers.