Conditions & Treatments
- A to Z Guide

Lung transplantation

Disease Information

Overview

Transplant tolerance means that your body accepts the lung with minimal to no immunosuppression. That's the holy grail of transplant research.

--Gary Visner, MD, medical director, Pediatric Lung Transplant Program

Lung Transplantation
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If your child has severe end-stage lung disease that no longer responds to treatment, a lung transplant might be an option to give her a longer and healthier life.

A lung transplant is an operation in which diseased lungs are replaced with a healthy replacement pair from another person. Sometimes, only one lung will be transplanted, but in most cases, the transplant surgeon will replace both.

According to 2010 statistics from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), about 55 children receive lung transplants each year.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), short-term survival from lung transplant has improved.
If your child has both heart disease and pulmonary disease, she could be a candidate for a heart-lung transplantation.

How Children’s Hospital Boston approaches a lung transplant

At Children's, your child’s team understands that a lung transplant is a time of hope but also concern for both your child and your family. Our program has been developed to address these concerns through:

strong integration with a number of highly-specialized initiatives at Children's, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Center, Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, Infant Lung Disease and End-Stage Lung Disease programs
experts from additional sub-specialties throughout Children's, who will join your child’s care team as needed
Child Life specialists, psychologists, social workers and resource specialists who will be there to support your child and your family before, during and after transplant

We are committed to working with you every step of the way.

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care
More than 9 million children in the United States are living with a chronic illness. Every year, 500,000 of these children turn 18. As they join their fellow adolescents in struggling to achieve optimal independence, they also face a serious issue they may not be prepared for: the transition of their medical care. Read Children’s tips for helping kids – and their families – make this key transition.

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care

More than 9 million children in the United States are living with a chronic illness. Every year, 500,000 of these children turn 18. As they join their fellow adolescents in struggling to achieve optimal independence, they also face a serious issue they may not be prepared for: the transition of their medical care. Read Children’s tips for helping kids – and their families – make this key transition.

“Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide”
Download a free booklet, “Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide” (please note that Adobe Acrobat is required) and read about topics including: talking to your child about his condition preparing for surgery and hospitalization supporting siblings taking care of yourself during your child’s illness adjusting to life after treatment

“Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide”

Download a free booklet, “Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide” (please note that Adobe Acrobat is required) and read about topics including:

talking to your child about his condition
preparing for surgery and hospitalization
supporting siblings
taking care of yourself during your child’s illness
adjusting to life after treatment

Child Life specialists
"Don't forget to tell them the rules," 7-year-old Lia DiFronzo says to Amber Soulvie, her Child Life specialist. Read more about how our Child Life specialists help children like Lia.

Lung transplant: Reviewed by Gary Visner, DO, 2010
© Children’s Hospital Boston, 2010