Protocol child as donor
Protocol child as donor
The waiting list for children who need an organ or tissue transplant increases every year. Some children die while waiting for a suitable organ. Often, children need a suitable organ or tissue from another child. The child as a donor does not occur often, and the entire donation process requires specific knowledge and skills from the healthcare professional.
The Dutch National Donation Protocol “Postmortale orgaan- en weefseldonatie” ensures the quality of the donation procedure. However, it primarily focuses on adult donors, but a child is not just a small adult. The organ donation procedure for children differs from the procedure for adults and has several unique challenges.
Given the rarity of paediatric organ and tissue donation, healthcare professionals cannot gain competence through experience. Therefore, a specific protocol is needed to optimise the organ and tissue donation process in children.
The results of the studies we have carried out formed the basis for developing the “Child as Donor” protocol. This protocol, designed specifically to address the unique challenges in paediatric organ donation, offers a clear and compact guideline for the professionals involved. It ensures that professionals can prepare well for the unique situation when a child appears to be suitable as a donor.
The protocol offers support to the professional, including practical steps for the entire donation process. This includes identifying potential donors, discussing donation possibilities with the parents, donor management, palliative care for a child as a donor, and collaboration with others involved.