Key points about lung transplant
- most people with lung problems will never need a lung transplant
- lung transplants in tamariki (children) are very rare in Aotearoa New Zealand
- a lung transplant is only considered when a child has a serious, long-term lung problem that is getting much worse
- if your child’s doctor thinks a transplant might help, they will talk to you about it
- if your child might need a lung transplant, you will get much more detailed information and support at that time
What is a lung transplant?
A lung transplant is a type of operation where one or both of the lungs are taken out, and replaced with healthy lungs. The lungs come from a person who chose to donate their organs after dying.
A lung transplant is a very big operation that is not suitable for everyone.
Before a transplant happens, there is a very careful process to decide whether it is the best option for your child and whether it is possible.
Although a lung transplant can help, it also carries serious risks. Some people do not survive the operation.
What happens in a lung transplant
Before a child is put forward for a lung transplant, health professionals will carefully assess them. This is to see if a transplant could help them live longer or have a better quality of life.
If your child is accepted for transplant, they will go on a waiting list. This is because there are not many donated lungs available, and it can take time to find the right match.
Once lungs become available, the operation has to happen in a specialist hospital.
After a lung transplant, your child will need strong medicines to stop their body from rejecting the new lungs. The transplant team will need to keep a very close eye on your child.
Who might need a lung transplant?
Most people with lung problems will never need a lung transplant. Lung transplants are only considered when someone’s risk of dying from their lung disease is greater than the risk of dying from having a lung transplant.
As a general guide, someone who has a 50% risk of dying from their lung disease within the next 2 years, has reached a stage where a lung transplant may be considered.
If a child’s lung disease is causing major problems in their daily life, a transplant may be considered to improve their quality of life.
Why are lung transplants not common?
A lung transplant can only happen if lungs from a donor become available. This means that another person has died, and their family agrees to donate their lungs. This is a very sad time for a family and it’s understandable that many do not feel able to give permission. Because of this, only a small number of lungs become available for transplant, especially for tamariki.
Even when lungs are offered for donation, the transplant team must check that the lungs are:
- healthy and not damaged by infection, cancer, or other problems
- a good match for the child who needs them
Donated lungs are a taonga (precious gift) given by the donor’s family. The transplant team must make sure they go to tamariki who have the best chance of doing well after surgery. This is why the team has strict rules about who can go on the transplant waiting list.
Not all children are able to have a lung transplant
Sometimes, health professionals decide that a lung transplant is not the right option for a child. This could be for a number of reasons.
A lung transplant may not be the right option for tamariki with other serious health problems such as:
- muscle weakness
- history of cancer or leukemia in the past few years
- problems with other organs such as the kidneys, liver or immune system
- weight being too low, or too high
- infections that cannot be fully treated
- bone disease
- severe change in the shape of the rib cage
A lung transplant will only be considered if health professionals believe it will improve a child’s health and give them a good chance at recovery.
How do I know if my child needs a lung transplant?
If your child has a significant lung condition - health professionals will monitor their health closely.
If your child’s lung condition is slowly getting worse, your child’s health professionals will talk to you about whether a lung transplant could be an option in the future.
Your child’s health professional will start talking about transplant long before it’s urgently needed. If you have questions, talk to your child’s specialist lung doctor.
