Consent from Child for Organ Donation

Abstract

An 8 year old student develops chronic glomerulonephritis and is begun on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with fair rehabilitation. Over two years of dialytic therapy, his growth is maintained by injections of recombinant human growth hormone. The patient’s monozygotic (identical) twin brother shows no sign of kidney disease. After a series of dialysis access infections, and a worsening depression in the patient, the parents request that a kidney transplant be performed between their iwin sons. The donor twin states that he wishes to do everything for his brother but that he is afraid of being hurt by the surgeon-doctor. His parents request that the kidney transplant be performed promptly, advising their donor son that he will feel no pain once the surgery is finished.