ABSTRACT
Introduction Although renal transplantation has been conducted successfully since 1954, children were not considered suitable candidates for transplantation until the early 1960’s (Fine et al., 1987). Physiological, social and psychological difficulties for the child, the side effects of immunosuppression and technical difficulties with the surgical procedure slowed acceptance of transplantation for the following decade. As these difficulties were successfully addressed, transplantation became increasingly accepted as a treatment option. It is now universally accepted that transplantation provides the child with the maximum opportunity for normal growth and development and is most likely to give them the best quality of life (Al-Akash & Ettenger 2001, p332).
