Psychological issues in pediatric organ transplantation

Abstract

Pediatric organ transplantation (POT) has shown enormous development in the past few decades, and the number of POT has increased exponentially. While the various medical issues in pediatric transplantation have been discussed, there is a dearth of literature on the psychological issues surrounding POT. The present review aims at providing an overview on various psychological issues that surround POT. Literature search using search engines was carried out, and review papers and original research articles were analyzed. The overall role of the psychiatrist in the POT setup is discussed and issues such as depression and anxiety that may occur in children and their parents is elaborated. The neurocognitive changes that may occur in POT are also discussed and the need for regular monitoring is stressed. Special population such as developmental disabilities and human immunodeficiency virus infection in the organ transplant setting and specific issues related to them are discussed. The role of a child and adolescent psychiatrist as an invaluable asset to any POT team is discussed and deliberated. Multiple psychological facets that may be encountered while dealing with children and adolescents undergoing organ transplantation are discussed.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• child psychiatrist
• depression
• developmental disabilities
• pediatric organ transplantation
• psychological issues