Kidney Transplant: Going Home / Follow-Up
Although it is very exciting to go home from the hospital after the kidney transplant, most children are also very nervous about it. It takes some time for your child to get used to his / her new kidney and all the new medications your child is taking.
Don't worry. You'll be able to reach someone at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center 24 hours a day if you have questions or concerns. You will be able to call the transplant coordinator during the weekdays or the kidney doctor who is on-call every night and weekend. Don't ever feel that your question is "silly."
It is important that you are comfortable knowing what to do to take care of your child and that your questions and concerns are addressed.
For the first several months after the transplant, your child will be returning to the hospital for clinic visits several times a week. Your child will have blood tests done and be examined at each visit so that the transplant team can check kidney function, adjust medications and detect any complications your child may be having.
Over time, the frequency of the clinic visits will decrease, but it is very important for you understand that your child will always need regular follow-ups with the kidney doctor to check your child's transplant function.
Rev. 1/07
