Indications and Contraindications for Pediatric Transplantation

Referral Criteria for Pediatric Lung Transplantation

We welcome communications from physicians who are interested in discussing pediatric transplantation or potential indications or contraindications for a specific patient.  If you are a medical professional calling from a physician's office and would like to reach a Hopkins transplant physician, please feel free to call us using any of the numbers listed below:

Pediatric Lung Transplantation (main office) 410-955-2795
or Hopkins Access Line for Physicians (24 hours, 7 days a week) 410-955-9444 or 1-800-765-JHHS

The Pediatric Lung Transplant Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and selection of patients for its transplantation program.  Physicians, transplant nurse coordinators, social workers, counselors and other professionals from numerous disciplines at the Johns Hopkins Hospital assist in the evaluation and selection process. 

Evaluation Eligibility Criteria for Pediatric Lung Transplantation:

• Age between 3 months and 18 years old
• Age > 52 weeks estimated gestational age
• Weight >3 kg
• Evidence of irreversible lung disease
• Life expectance of less than 2 years without transplant
• Absence of significant disease in non-pulmonary organs
• Good potential for post-operative rehabilitation
• Compliance with previous medical therapy
• Absence of malignancy
• Absence of HIV or tuberculosis infection
• Absence of significant neurologic injury

More detailed information about pediatric lung transplantation criteria is available as a .PDF document here.

Absolute Contraindications to Pediatric Lung Transplantation include:

• HIV infection
• Active Hepatitis B
• Active tuberculosis
• Malignancy
• Irreversible nervous system injury

Relative Contraindications to Pediatric Lung Transplantation include:

• Ventilator dependence
• Rehabilitation potential
• Renal failure
• Liver failure
• Left ventricular dysfunction
• Diabetes mellitus with vasculopathy
• Severe osteoporosis
• Noncompliance with prior medical therapy
• Previous thoracic surgery
• Highly resistant bacterial colonization
• Body mass index (BMI) > 30

Transplant Team
Information for Healthcare Professionals
Referring Physician Checklist